Ever since I met Tom Karlya several years ago interviewing him in his living room, I knew he would be part of the cure for diabetes. Father of a daughter with type 1 from the age of two, his passion knows no bounds. 

He is now Vice President of Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) – along with the columnist of “Diabetes Dad” on dLife – and pouring his passion into national fundraising programs for the DRI – perhaps our most bright beacon lighting the way toward a cure. 

This month DRI has launched a campaign called “Be Part of The Cure.” All you need do to be part of the cure is visit the site, upload a photo and a few sentences about yourself and make a donation (as little as $10). 

Your photo will become part of the CURE mosaic -and two corporations are matching up to the first $25,000 of donations. Each day the CURE mosaic swells with photos. To look at them reminds me that work towards a cure is ongoing while I go through another day, and that the cure is within reach. To upload my photo and story was a little slice of healing, feeling I am part of the engine getting us all to a cure.

The final CURE image – with your photo – will be printed on a colossal banner that will hang at the Diabetes Research Institute, and those who make a minimum donation of $50 will receive a mouse pad with the final CURE image. A prize you certainly won’t want to be without since my photo may be right next to yours! 😉

You have ’til the end of the year to upload your photo and make your donation, but really there’s no better time than now, particularly as we think about what we’re grateful for this week.