Hello everyone, and thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
I’m creating this fundraiser for my fiancé, Dillon, who was recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes — something that came on extremely suddenly, with no strong family history and no warning signs. Dillon has always been healthy. He doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, eats well, and works a physically demanding, blue-collar job. He has always taken care of himself and stayed active. We learned quickly that there was nothing he could have done to prevent this. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease — the body mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This diagnosis was something we never expected and were not prepared for.
How It All Began
On October 21st, Dillon experienced severe pain while urinating at work, so we assumed he might have a UTI. He had also been:
- Drinking over 2 gallons of water a day
- Experiencing dry mouth
- Polyuria (abnormally large amounts of urine)
- And had unintentionally lost 20 pounds very quickly
But he believed those symptoms were just due to his high labor job. He went to urgent care, they ran a urine test and discovered:
- Blood sugar of 585
- High levels of ketones
The provider explained that his body was approaching Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) — a dangerous and potentially life-threatening state that happens when the body cannot produce insulin. I was called and told to we needed to go to the ER immediately.
Hospitalization
Dillon was admitted and spent five days in the hospital, where he received:
- IV fluids
- Insulin therapy
- Continuous glucose monitoring
- Dozens of blood panels
- A CT scan with contrast of his chest, abdomen, and pelvis
- Medication to lower extremely high triglycerides (9x the normal limit) and cholesterol
During his stay, doctors also identified irregular heart rhythms, which now require:
- A 30-day heart monitor
- Follow-up with cardiology
We are incredibly grateful we got him care in time to prevent severe DKA.
What Life Looks Like Now
Just weeks ago, Dillon was taking a multivitamin.
Now, he requires:
- Daily long-acting and rapid insulin injections
- A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) to stay safe day-to-day
- 7 daily medications to manage blood sugar, triglycerides, and cholesterol
- Regular endocrinology appointments
- Cardiology monitoring and follow-ups
- Ongoing lab work
- Monthly diabetic supplies and prescriptions
- Diabetes education and nutrition counseling
These appointments are medically necessary, but they also mean he has to miss work hours, which affects income — and with his job being physically demanding, keeping his blood sugar stable is a safety requirement while working. We are adjusting one day at a time.
Financial Impact & How Donations Will Help
Even with insurance, the costs add up quickly. Your support will help cover the costs of all the things mentioned above, between medicine, medical bills, loss of work, etc. This was sudden, and we were not financially prepared for such a rapid medical and lifestyle transition.
Additionally, to honor National Diabetes Awareness Month, we will be donating a percentage of all proceeds to Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), to support Type 1 diabetes research and those newly diagnosed. We want to give back in the same spirit that help is being given to us.
Any amount truly helps — even $5 makes a difference.
Sharing this page also means more than you know.
Thank you for supporting Dillon as he navigates this new chapter of life. Your kindness, encouragement, and care mean the world.
With love,
Natalya & Dillon