Support Wells’ ONEderful Wish: Donate Diabetic Play Kits

On November 8th, 2023 our 3 year old son Wells was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. He was struggling to understand his new normal of finger pokes and shots while admitted to the hospital, when an incredible Child Life Specialist named Jenny walked in! She introduced Wells to a Diabetic play kit that he could use on a stuffed animal and it changed the course of our hospital stay. However, it was the only play kit the hospital had so we had to leave it behind when he was discharged. On that day, I made a vow to donate these Diabetic Play Kits to the hospital annually on Wells’ diabetic anniversary.

In 2023, we were able to donate 15 Diabetic Play Kits to WakeMed Raleigh, as well as 5 American Girl Dolls & their coordinating doll sized Diabetic Kits. Additionally, we donated 28 packs of Dexcom overpatches (with lots of cute characters) to the WakeMed Pediatric Endocrinology team, as these stickers helped Wells tremendously at every site change! It was a huge success and we were so beyond thankful for everyone that pitched in to make it possible.

As November approaches, our annual fundraiser is back in action with the goal of donating the items on November 8th. This year the fundraiser will run from September 8th-October 8th, leaving a month for ordering & shipping.

I spoke with our wonderful Child Life contact, Jenny, and they have some specific requests! I know with everyone’s help we can fulfill their needs. They have been keeping a tally all year on their T1D diagnoses, and here is what they need:

10 Diabetic Felt Play Kits ($64 each)

10 Realistic Diabetic Play Kits ($64 each, we will use the medical toy company called “The Butterfly Pig”)

5 Our Generation Dolls & coordinating doll Diabetic Kits ($52 each)

Additionally, we have a contact for the Dexcom Overpatch company we order from and they have agreed to donate patches as well! With that being said, we have a goal to increase our patches donated this year, and we need:

35 packs of Dexcom Overpatches ($17 each)

The difference that these items make in newly diagnosed kids is absolutely astounding. Every contact I have (both in the Child Life department, the media team for WakeMed Raleigh, and the WakeMed endocrinology team) have told me many handfuls of inspiring stories of children positively impacted by our fundraiser in 2023. Children that were too embarrassed to wear a Dexcom before, now proudly wearing their lifesaving devices all because of their cute overpatches. Children fully grasping their new routine of finger pokes and injections, and accepting it with much more ease and confidence. I saw it firsthand in my own innocent 3 year old, when his world was flipped upside down in the blink of an eye. Would you consider sponsoring a Diabetic Play Kit or an overpatch pack for a child today?

Every dollar helps us achieve our goal to positively affect newly diagnosed children’s lives. We know economical times are tough, and we genuinely appreciate EVERYONE’S support, even if you just share our mission. Thank you all for being here, supporting us, and loving us unconditionally. It means more to us than you could possibly know.