Charity Awards Diabetes Alert Dogs to Families During National Diabetes Awareness Month

DALLAS, Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dallas-based Diabetes Friendly Foundation will honor a number of four-legged friends and their families during its second annual "K9s for Kids" benefit on Nov. 19. The foundation, which focuses on improving the lives of people living with diabetes, holds its benefit during National Diabetes Awareness Month and helps raise money to provide families in need with specially trained diabetes alert dogs.

Diabetes alert dogs are trained to detect dangerous high and low blood sugar levels in their handlers and alert them when such levels are reached. The dogs provided through funds from the Diabetes Friendly Foundation are part of a unique training program that takes 12 to 18 months to complete and begins just weeks after the dog is born. The foundation partners with Wildrose Kennels in Oxford, Miss. to pair a family with just the right dog. Wildrose works exclusively with British Labradors for its training program.

"Our annual 'K9s for Kids' benefit makes it possible to improve the lives of families living with diabetes," said Cole Egger, founder of the Diabetes Friendly Foundation. "Supporting families with donations for them to receive a dog is the highlight of the event and our year because it stands at the core of what the foundation is all about."

This year, three families, the Partees of Dahlonega, Ga.; the Nolands of Tupelo, Miss.; and the Horstmans of Anchorage, Alaska, will be awarded funds from DFF for their own D.A.D.s.

"Being paired with a dog through the Diabetes Friendly Foundation changed our family's life," said Sarah Wilson, a 2010 recipient of foundation funds for her dog, Ruby. Wilson's daughter, Faith, now three, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 18 months and is the youngest person ever to receive a diabetes alert dog. "I can honestly say that because of her abilities, Ruby has saved Faith's life."

The "K9s for Kids" benefit, held at Dallas' Fashion Industry Gallery, will feature live entertainment from Boss Level Group, hors d'oeuvres courtesy of RedFork Tavern and a diabetes-friendly bar sponsored by Patron and Buffalo Trece. Shelly Slater, WFAA news anchorwoman, is host of the event, and Jayde Donovan, television and radio personality, and April Box Chamberlain, president and CEO of Methodist Health System Foundation, are honorary co-chairs.

Tickets for "K9s for Kids" are $75 and may be purchased at www.diabetesfriendly.org . Benefit guests also receive a special discount at The Fairmont Dallas and may book rooms at http://www.fairmont.com/dal/K9forKids.

About the Diabetes Friendly Foundation:

The Diabetes Friendly Foundation 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 foundation 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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Media Contact:
Mary Kate Smither
214-379-7000
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SOURCE Diabetes Friendly Foundation