How do I find a way to help diabetes research?

My mother and more recently my brother and several of my aunts have been diagnosed with diabetes and I have lost several family members to it (including both of my grandmothers). I'd like to do some fund raising for research, participate in a walk for a cure, volunteer at an organization but I don't know how to locate any.

How do I find a way to help? I'd like to raise money to donate but I don't know how or where or what the rules/laws are or where to get started.

I tried to find some websites that match you with volunteer opportunities but no luck there.

Any suggestions on where to get started?

I would contact an organization that has offices near you or that will work with you regardless of your distance from their main offices, and ask them about fundraising.  Laws are going to vary from state to state, so it's best to just talk to the organization to see what they can help you do.

Wow! I'm a Certified Diabetes Educator, so that's an easy one for me to answer! I think that's amazing that you want to volunteer your time to help fight diabetes. I spend the bigger part of my life trying to help people both prevent the onset and properly manage diabetes in order to live a healthier life...

Just click here and you can easily find volunteer/fundraiser opportunities in your part of the country. (I'm assuming you live in the US?)

http://www.diabetes.org/support-the-cause/vol unteer-with-us.jsp

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! Just in time too! The walk in my area is this Saturday!!! I was hoping to get involved soon but wow!!

I'm so glad you saw my post and were kind enough to answer.

I'm too late to form a team and raise funds but I can volunteer to help clean up after the walk then pursue additional ways of helping out and form a team for next years walk.

I just wish I could get the people I love (who have diabetes) to join in!

Original Post by stripedtiger:

I just wish I could get the people I love (who have diabetes) to join in!

I have been Type I diabetic since I was 10 and my parents usually contribute money, but I've never participated in any events. I can say for sure though, that if someone close to me, unaffected by diabetes, were volunteering their time to do this for me, I would immediately join in.

That is so, so thoughtful of you. Thank you (and you too, gddlrdld) for being so kind, for helping all your family members and friends, and thank you even more for helping people you don't even know. People like me. :) It is because of people like you that help make life with diabetes easier!!

I hadn't thought about them following suit. Maybe I just need to be vocal about my wanting to get involved. I usually just do my thing but maybe this time I should make a point to mention it to them.

I'd like for some of my unaffected (yet) family members to take more of an interest so they are educated about what our mom, brother and aunts have to endure because of the disease.

Thanks so much for thanking gddrdld! She is the type of person that helped my brother when he first got diagnosed. She's a blessing to those rocked by the news!!

You girls are very welcome! Any time. :)