A Mother’s Promise

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Staci Wood and Family_Walk article pg3
From left to right: Will Grapenthien, Steve Grapenthien, Staci Wood Center: Cooper Grapenthien

Staci Wood only meant to start walking with JDRF for herself. At the start of her journey, she was just a 20-something year old managing life with type 1 diabetes (T1D) ready to show her support by walking with her company’s corporate team.

Twenty years later, Staci became a mom to a little boy named Cooper. Cooper was diagnosed at the age of three with T1D; more than nine years ago. He then became her other reason to reignite her passion for JDRF. For Staci, it was no longer just about walking for her life with T1D, but how it would impact her son’s as well.

Only months after Cooper was diagnosed, Staci and her family created their Walk team. Why so sudden? For her and her family, focusing on the Walk calmed them. That one special day provided hope, friendship and the feeling that they weren’t alone.  It was an opportunity to reflect on Cooper’s strength and fearlessness when it comes to managing the disease. Most importantly, that energy and movement toward a cure pushed Staci to become more involved, and to strive harder, because it’s truly within our grasp.

JDRF and Walk day are so important to Staci because:

It’s about raising more money for an organization that is funding so many exciting research avenues with promise to truly impact Cooper’s life. This, combined with the passion of thousands of volunteers, makes JDRF a powerhouse — continually fighting for Type None. JDRF is hope.

JDRF is more than just hope for Staci. It is also the answer to another one of her personal missions. “My promise to myself has always been to send Cooper to college with a ‘cure’ which to us could mean many things. At the core, it is knowing he’s safe, healthy and doesn’t have to work so hard to stay that way. ​ And we know in our hearts that JDRF is the only organization that can make it possible.”

Your continued support to raise funds towards JDRF’s vision of a world without T1D is needed to fulfill Staci’s promise. It’s never too late to join us, either physically walking with us on September 28 in Merrillville, Indiana, on October 5th in Illinois or virtually – visit walk.jdrf.org to take your first step today.