Juvenile Diabetes is a daily, life threatening disease that can leave adolescents feeling helpless and confused. Frances Reisman was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes when she was only 3, but is doing everything she can to help others.
This cheerful seventh grader at St. George’s Episcopal School is taking part in her community to raise funds and awareness for Juvenile Diabetes.
Reisman has been on a team for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes for the past three years. With the help of her parents she has organized a fundraising team and this year participated on November 7.
Reisman says, “While the money raised hasn’t yet resulted in a cure, seeing all my friends – and thousands of other people who I don’t even know – at the walk, supporting the cause and me, really makes me feel good and has been very rewarding, even though the ultimate goal – a cure – has not been reached.”
At this walk, Reisman had a team of friends and family named “Frannie’s Friends.” St. George’s, at Reisman’s behest helped raising more than $1,000 for the cause. The Reismans also gave a special pizza party for the students in first grade who donated the most money. Throughout the months of preparing, “Frannie’s Friends” raised over $25,000 to help fight Juvenile Diabetes.
Reisman is also involved in the Carrollton Boosters Playground. She has played softball and basketball for Carrollton for many years. Since she has been playing at Carrollton, Reisman has met other youths from different schools that she wouldn’t have been able to be friends with because of the geography. This year the 12 and under all-start team traveled and won the National Championship in Harlingen, Texas. The team did fundraising to help with travel expenses.
Reisman enjoys being involved in her community. She says, “If you want something to happen, you have to get out there and do something. You can’t just sit back and wait.”
Reisman has been very involved in her activities at St. George’s. She plays volleyball and softball, and also participates in the school plays. She recently played the part of Glinda, the good witch, in St. George’s production of The Wizard of Oz. When Reisman gets older she would like to study to be an interior designer or teacher.
Resimen says, “I think I will always be active with the JDRF and I would like to do something in the future to help kids, who many not have the opportunity I did, to get involved in playground sports.”
