I remember my mom telling me what happened when they first learned I was diagnosed with diabetes. My parents went up to my neighbor's house and my dad was devastated - to the point of tears. My dad is a doctor and learning that his daughter was just diagnosed with type 1 diabetes left him feeling helpless and guilty. He felt guilty he did he not see it happening. He felt helpless because he knew my life was about to change and he couldn't fix it. I think somewhere inside I have an irreparable feeling of guilt that I ever caused my dad to feel this way. He is the man who rescued me from the monsters in my closet. He read me bedtime stories. He is my hero. I began writing this tonight to express an enormous amount of appreciation to another father with a diabetic daughter - Jeff Hitchock.

Jeff's daughter, Marissa, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 24 months old. Jeff created children with DIABETES in June 1995 with the goal of helping Marissa meet other kids who had diabetes. children with DIABETES promotes understanding of the care and treatment of diabetes, especially in children. It also increases awareness of the need for unrestricted diabetes care for children at school and daycare, to support families living with diabetes, and to promote understanding of research for a cure. Over the years, children with DIABETES has grown to become one of the largest diabetes-related web sites in the world. If you are a parent, you can only imagine the dedication Jeff has put into the site. More importantly, you will see the resources and experts he has incorporated into this site. I'd bet double or nothing on Jeff's site. He gives the Library of Congress a run for it's money.

Marissa is the reason that the children with DIABETES site exists. She is now in nursing school and plans to take care of kids with diabetes. As a nurse, she'll impact the lives of diabetic kids the same way her father has impacted the lives of millions through children with DIABETES. Thank you for all you have contributed to the diabetic community. Best of luck in nursing, Marissa!