This is my beautiful granddaughter, Ivy Francesca Watruba.  She is four years old.  Two weeks ago, she was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes.  My daughter, Francesca, and son-in-law, Michael, are wonderful and compassionate parents to three other cherubs, Billi (14yrs old), Scarlett Blu, (2yrs old) and Tess Josephine, (1yr old).   They spent a few days down at Children’s Hospital in Detroit to stabilize Ivy’s condition and to learn about the new way of life that will become their new “normal” with Ivy’s condition.  We are blessed that there is a treatment but it does come with risks.  Amazingly, she has become very brave and is able now with guidance to monitor her levels during the day.  Her parents administer her shots which has been a challenge for such a little angel.  One of the life-threatening risks comes in the evening.  One out of every 20 children, toddlers and babies with diabetes die in their sleep because their levels become so low while sleeping. They fall into a coma and never wake up.  It has been difficult but Francesca needs to wake up Ivy at least every two hours and check her levels.  Besides being scared for Ivy’s well-being, it is nerve racking for the parents.  Ivy is subjected to five shots daily besides endless testing for her blood sugar levels.  Unfortunately, Michael is very familiar with Type1 diabetes because his brother, David, and his daughter, Billi were both diagnosed as children. 

The wonderful doctors and nurses down at Children’s told Francesca and Michael about “Service dogs” for children with diabetes.  They are trained to alert the child, parent/caregiver if the child’s levels are either high or low and needs insulin or in distress. This guardian dog would be at that child’s side everywhere he/she goes (i.e. school, activities, bedtime). Unfortunately, medical insurance does not cover this very needed and added security and peace of mind for the families.  The cost for the dog and training is $20,000. 

As a mother who lost her son to pediatric cancer, we are starting this GoFundMe drive to help raise enough money to purchase a “Service Dog” for our precious Ivy. Prayers and all donations would be greatly appreciated.  Any amount raised over $20,000, will be donated to another child who is in need of a lifesaving service dog.

God bless and thank you.