Cici's DAD Fundraiser

Cici’s Story

In April 2025, our 9-year-old, Cici was suddenly struck with a cold. What seemed like a routine illness quickly turned into a life-altering emergency. After days of rest with no improvement, Cici’s health took a terrifying turn. She experienced excessive thirst, frequent urination, intense pain in her belly and head, and was unable to keep food down. In the early hours of April 8th, we rushed her to the emergency room. What we learned was nothing short of life-shattering. Cici was immediately diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and was in life-threatening Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Her blood sugar level was dangerously high, nearly 700! Cici was airlifted to a specialized hospital 4 hours away where she endured countless tests, finger pokes, and an overwhelming amount of medical intervention. For 3 days, doctors worked tirelessly to stabilize her. The emotional toll on Cici and on all of us was immense. She went from a healthy, active child to someone who now relies on insulin to survive. 

Living with T1D means constant vigilance. Cici must monitor her blood sugar levels throughout the day to prevent dangerous highs (which can send her into DKA) or lows (which can render her unresponsive). Unfortunately, Cici is unaware of when her blood sugar reaches dangerous levels. This means that she doesn’t feel the symptoms of either hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. While she wears a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), even the best technology can’t provide perfect alerts in time. 

This is where we need your help. We are raising funds to provide Cici with a Diabetes Alert Dog (D.A.D.). It will be more than just a service animal; it will be Cici’s guardian, helping her feel safe and supported as she navigates this new chapter of her life. Cici’s biggest wish is simple: to feel safe again. With your generosity, we can make that wish come true. Thank you for your kindness and support and for giving Cici the gift of safety and comfort and a chance to live life without fear.