The Parisi Family

Fund A Cure Family

Samantha was diagnosed 2 years ago at the age of 11. We, like most families, had no idea of the warning signs of Type 1 Diabetes. Samantha was losing weight, fatigued, and always thirsty. Looking back, how didn’t we know? Also, like many families, we had no idea what this diagnosis would mean for Samantha, our family, or her future. She is the first in our family to be diagnosed.

The first 3 months were by far the hardest 3 months of our lives.  Samantha’s immune system was getting stronger, but she kept getting sick and was frustrated. We, as parents, felt helpless and hated that she had to keep pricking her body time and time again. We even pricked ourselves with the needles to see where it would hurt the least for her to inject herself with insulin. As a family who never paid attention to nutrition labels, we had a lot to learn about carb’s and how they interact with your body. I always carried measuring cups and a scale in my purse, for when we went out to eat.

Eventually, things turned around. In the next 3 months we were fully automated. She had her Dexcom and her Omnipod System. Samantha is amazingly independent and responsible and took over most of the controls around her dosing, with us there for support. Now she has started at her new school, is a top student, is on the golf team, and is a Youth Ambassador for Breakthrough T1D.  This experience has brought Samantha from being scared of everything to being an independent young woman who embraces change and looks at the bright side of things.

None of this would be possible for our family, or others, if there weren’t organizations out there doing research to find a cure or find ways to make having this disease easier. We are forever grateful to Breakthrough T1D for the resources they have provided and the relationships they have helped us build in the T1D community.

Watch Samantha’s story here:

https://f.io/WnPXQIHP

Carrie Hessney

Auctioneer

Carrie Hessney is a dynamic and accomplished professional auctioneer, specializing in fundraising events for non-profits across the Finger Lakes Region of New York and beyond. With a passion for helping organizations exceed their fundraising goals, Carrie has built a reputation as a trusted and energetic auctioneer.

In 2023, she was honored with the title of NYS Auctioneer of the Year and won the 2024 International Auctioneer Reserve Champion. Carrie’s commitment to excellence in her field is reflected in her graduation from the Certified Auctioneers Institute at Indiana University, where she earned the profession’s highest designation, solidifying her position among the industry’s top experts.

Carrie is dedicated to using her auctioneering skills to drive meaningful change within her community, believing strongly in the power of auctions to inspire generosity and impact. Her infectious energy, passion, and expertise ensure every event is a success, making her a go-to choice for fundraising endeavors across the country.