To Our Friends & Family,

On December 9, 2024, our world changed overnight. Our daughter Ellie—just 6 years old at the time—was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Ellie’s immune system has attacked the cells in her pancreas that make insulin, so her body can no longer regulate blood sugar on its own.

Ellie recently said, “The coolest thing about having Type 1 Diabetes is that one day I’ll have a dog to help me.”

These highly trained dogs are so much more than companions. They are trained to detect subtle chemical changes in the body—often before devices can alert—signaling dangerous highs or lows. They can wake her (or us) in the middle of the night, alert us during the day, and provide an added layer of safety that technology alone simply can’t guarantee.

The cost to raise and train a diabetic alert dog is approximately $30,000. This includes intensive training to ensure the dog is fully prepared for public access, obedience, and alerting to 90% of Ellie's out-of-range- blood sugars. These remarkable dogs use their incredible sense of smell to detect changes in blood sugar levels, faster than medical devices. It’s a big ask—and not something insurance covers—but it’s something that could truly change Ellie’s life.

If you know Ellie, you know she is one of a kind. She’s bold, hilarious, and completely, unapologetically herself. She doesn’t pretend, she doesn’t people-please—she just is Ellie. And somehow, through all of this, she has faced her diagnosis with a kind of quiet bravery that both breaks our hearts and leaves us in awe.

But behind that bravery is a reality most people never see.

Type 1 Diabetes doesn’t take a break. Not at school. Not during sports. Not in the middle of the night.

Every single day, Ellie endures finger pricks, insulin dosing, constant monitoring, and the invisible mental load of trying to keep her body safe. Her blood sugar can drop dangerously low or spike high without warning—sometimes in minutes. Even with today’s technology, there are still gaps… especially when she’s sleeping.

But what matters even more is what this would give Ellie beyond the medical support. It would give her freedom, confidence, a sense that she’s not doing this alone.

That’s what this dog could be for her.

Not just support—but reassurance.

A constant presence by her side, helping her feel safer, more confident, and a little more like a regular kid again.

If you feel moved to donate, we are deeply grateful. Every contribution brings us one step closer to giving Ellie this life-changing support.

If you’re not able to donate, sharing her story means just as much. The more people who hear about Ellie, the closer we get to making this possible.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for loving Ellie, supporting our family, and helping by coming together as a community.

With love and gratitude,

The Andrews Family