Eight-year-old Sam Murray of Massachusetts has become an official face of type 1 diabetes for the Joslin Diabetes Center. Sam and one other child will appear on billboards throughout his home state. The billboards promote diabetes awareness and that ever-critical (yet never-ending!) task, fundraising.

The ad campaign is a year-long endeavor by Joslin, paid for using $500,000-worth of billboard space donated by ClearChannel. In one of the designs, Sam poses with a glucose monitor in his outstretched hand, a chalkboard in the background, with the slogan "Let's erase diabetes from his future."

Sam Murray was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes only last year. His parents say the diagnosis might have taken longer to secure if not for the fact that another local boy had been diagnosed with the disease not so long before, so Sam's mom and dad were already somewhat familiar with the symptoms.

And, no, he's not shy about taking such a public role: "I thought it would be pretty cool to have my picture all over the place," remarks Sam. Says dad Dan, "Sammy from the get-go has really adapted to this much better than we could have possibly imagined. He's kind of taken on this role as ambassador."

Click here to see a Boston Globe photo of the billboard image.

As my parents explained it to me, when your child is diagnosed with diabetes you are slapped in the face with a shocking revelation: we can't fix this! However a blessing in disguise was bestowed upon Dylan Fossella, an 11- year-old boy who also happens to be the son of Vito Fossella, a Congressman from Staten Island.

Dylan Fossella, was just five years old when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He will be one of 150 other children and teenagers living with type 1 diabetes from across the country heading to D.C. on behalf of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. They will speak to lawmakers to encourage funding toward a cure. To earn the trip to Washington, he had to write a letter to his local Congressman, who happens to be his dad. The message Dylan most wants his dad and other politicians to hear is the same message I promoted when I visited Washing D.C in the 1990s with the American Diabetes Association: find a cure in my lifetime, please.

Over the years, many people have regarded diabetes as a disease that's manageable. True -- but that's easier said than done. For kids like Dylan that means checking your sugar about four times a day (or more) and upwards of six insulin shots a day. As a personal reflection -- I consider myself lucky to be one of the 13,000 children chosen in 1985 for juvenile diabetes. Here I am 22 years later, blogging on behalf of Dylan. It is my hope that he and his family can make a difference for all of us wishing for that cure. Have a great time in D.C, Dylan. It'll be the memory of a lifetime!

I'm the lady and the Lobster is brought to us by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. On Friday, December 1, 2006 there will be a Lobster Bash held in Babylon, NY. The event will take place at the Venetian Yacht Club. I would like to find 9 guests to join me. The table costs $1,000, so it will cost $100 a person - the balance of $55 is fully tax deductible.

I'll pay for my ticket. I'm inviting anybody within a convenient distance to join me. Come to the event, meet me, and tell me what's on your mind. Oh, and if none of that wets your whistle, maybe this will excite you: open bar, silent auction, and dancing. I've been told I dance like Elane Benes from Seinfeld. It's not true. I don't think so, anyway.

Ladies and Gentleman please don't send me out to the wolves in the CraigsList platonic neighborhood. Yes, I've been known to dabble in the singles scene, shamelessly. This is a different call to action. This is for philanthropy, supporting the research efforts of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Lobster buffet, open bar, and good times. Need a girl ask for a more socially-rounded experience? You are all cordially invited to attend! Leave me feedback or email if you would like further details.

MySpace, YouTube®, nowadays anybody with a PC and a mission has a fighting chance. Those of us, like Tim McGee, have learned how to get the word out when it counts. He founded The REAL McGee, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to help cure diabetes.

Every year The REAL McGee participates in various events to raise funds for diabetes. The JDRF "Walk to Cure" is one, along with other American Diabetes Association efforts, like the launch of this melodically informative video. But Tim felt he could do more...and he did.

Tim created a benefit concert called Rock to Cure Diabetes. He invites friends and family of diabetics to come together, enjoy live performances of local bands, donate money to research agencies like the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Diabetes Association. This event is a place where local bands can come out of the garage and show everyone what they are made of while raising money to cure diabetes. Rock on, Tim!