July 03, 2004
Saturday

Dear Ketchikan Resident,

On July 10th 2004, I will be swimming around Pennock Island, a distance of 11 miles. The swim is in honor of my niece Melissa Schulz, a resident of Ketchikan, diagnosed with type I diabetes 4 years ago. While swimming 11 miles in 54ºF water is a challenge, it is no comparison to the challenge of living with diabetes. I hope the swim will help raise people's awareness of diabetes in their community and at the same time raise money to help support the efforts of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Let me tell you a little about the diabetes epidemic and the toll it extracts from people and our society.

Currently there are 18 million diabetics in the United State; an estimated 5 million are undiagnosed and an additional estimated 30 million pre-diabetics. In the United States alone diabetes kills more than 180,000 men, women, and children a year. Diabetes undiagnosed or improperly treated, can cause kidney disease, heart disease, blindness, peripheral circulation disease and stroke. Diabetes accounts for billions of dollars in medical costs and lost time at work and school.

With your donation, you can help me reach my modest goal to raise $5,000.00 for the Alaska area of the ADA. This money will support ADA's on going community efforts in the areas of education, treatment and advocacy.

I'd like to thank you for taking the time to read my letter and please consider helping the ADA in its endeavor to educate, advocate and treat diabetes. Feel free to contact me via e-mail, I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Regards,

William Schulz
E-mail: grumpytuna@yahoo.com
Escondido, CA - USA

 

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