The Diabetes Friendly Foundation to Host Second Annual "K9s for Kids" Benefit

    DALLAS, TX, October 06, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Tickets are on sale now for the Diabetes Friendly Foundation's second annual "K9s for Kids" benefit at the Fashion Industry Gallery in Dallas on Saturday, November 19th at 7:30 p.m. The highlight of the event will be awarding donations to three families, each with a child who lives with diabetes, so they may purchase a Diabetes Alert Dog.

WFAA-TV news anchor Shelly Slater will host the event. Jayde Donovan, noted television and radio personality, and April Box Chamberlain, President and CEO, Methodist Health System Foundation, will serve as honorary co-chairs of the benefit.

"Our annual 'K9s for Kids' benefit makes it possible for us to train and provide Diabetes Alert Dogs for deserving families," said Cole Egger, founder of The Diabetes Friendly Foundation (DFF). "Honoring these families with donations that allow them each to receive one of these specially trained dogs is the highlight of the event and of our year because it stands at the core of what DFF is all about - improving the lives of those living with diabetes."

Diabetes Alert Dogs are trained to detect high and low blood sugar levels in their handlers and alert them when such levels are reached. Managing blood sugar levels is an important and sometimes difficult task for people living with diabetes, and the dogs offer kids and their families an easier, painless way to monitor levels during the course of daily life.

"I first learned about diabetes through the struggles my grandmother endured in living with it," said Donovan. "The work done by DFF/K9s for Kids is not only moving, but also extremely meaningful in providing monitoring assistance and comfort to children with diabetes."

The Simonton family of Flower Mound knows firsthand the impact Diabetes Alert Dogs can have on the well-being of a child. Lily Simonton was diagnosed with Type I diabetes at 18 months and is now supported by her dog, Wildrose Charlie. The family and their dog will be honored guests at this year's DFF benefit.

The DFF benefit raises money to train the dogs and provide education about living with diabetes through ticket sales and a silent auction of donated items. Tickets for "K9s for Kids" are $100.00 each and may be purchased at http://www.diabetesfriendly.org. Benefit guests will also receive at special discount at The Fairmont Dallas and may book rooms at http://www.fairmont.com/dal/K9forKids.

Media Contact: Mary Kate Smither
214-379-7000
[email protected]

About the Diabetes Friendly Foundation:
The Diabetes Friendly Foundation (DFF) is a 501c3 organization aimed at preventing the onset and reducing the severity of diabetes through education, collaboration and the promotion of innovative products and ideas. Through its "K9s for Kids" program, the DFF helps families obtain Diabetes Alert Dogs. For more information about the Diabetes Friendly Foundation, please visit www.diabetesfriendly.org or their Facebook page.

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