What is diabetes?

While we are aiming to raise money for all types of diabetes, here’s a little background on Type I, the type that Nick was diagnosed with back in 2005.

Type I diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. With Type I, the body no longer produces insulin; this is the hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other foods into energy.

There are certain complications and conditions that can and do occur with Type I diabetes.

The conditions include hyper and hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis and celiac disease

.The complications that can occur are heart disease, blindness, nerve, and kidney damage. Having diabetes increases the risk of these complications.

There are 20.8 million children and adults in the US, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. There is an estimated 14.6 million who have been diagnosed, and 6.2 (nearly one-third) that are unaware they have the disease.

We hope that this site can be used to increase diabetes awareness so that Nick and millions of others who have diabetes no longer have to suffer.

Donations are greatly appreciated and can be done by visiting our Get Involved page; we are currently donating directly to the American Diabetes Association. We have been informed that the Jonas’ are members of the ADA.

The above information was obtained from the American Diabetes Association’s website. Please visit the ADA’s site for more information on Type I, as well as all other forms of the disease.