Garage Sale to Benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

A 2013 Lincoln-Way Central grad, Mike Dybala, and his family are hosting their 11th annual garage sale to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  Diagnosed with the type 1 diabetes at the age of 6, he knows well the hardship of dealing with a spike in blood sugar while out with friends and the discipline it takes to avoid certain foods at a birthday party.

The garage sale is slated from 8 a.m. till 3 p.m. June 21-22 at 704 Ridgefield Road in the Wildwood subdivision in New Lenox.  More than 10 families have contributed their used furniture, toys, clothes and dishes to feed a fund that supports juvenile diabetes research, said Mike's mom, Anne Marie Dybala.  All total, the garage sales have raised about $10,000 for research.   

While the Dybala family works regularly to promote research to conquer juvenile diabetes, Mike has made it his mission to support kids living with the disease. He insists that a type 1 diabetes diagnosis doesn't have to trump normal activities. Bound this fall for Harvard University in Cambridge, MA, he is proof that proper nutrition, fitness and a positive attitude paves the way for a kid to enjoy life in spite of the disease.    

A regular each summer for six years at Ingleside's Triangle D Camp for children with diabetes, Mike found support growing up by being with others his age who were living with diabetes.  Last year he volunteered to serve as a support source at the camp. This year he is serving as a camp counselor. It's a chance to talk with the kids about how to practically deal with the regimen of monitoring blood sugar and wearing a pump. Moreover, it's about providing one-on-one emotional support for the kids. Diabetes takes a toll both physically and emotionally, he said.

Juvenile diabetes summer camps are hosted throughout Illinois, including Palos Park. Visit the American Diabetes website for details.

Mike's Message to the kids

The message usually begins with letting the kids know that he understands the difficulties that go along with living with diabetes. "I have a pump. When I was first diagnosed, it was all new. But as I grew older, I became more independent and more comfortable with it."

Since Mike's diagnosis, the Dybala family has annually joined in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation fundraising walk. Team "Hike for Mike" is planning to participate in the 2013 Walk to Cure Diabetes, Oct. 6 at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills. It is one of several planned walks throughout Illinois. For details about the walk schedule, visit the website at JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes. 

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