The SlamDiabetes logo is straightforward and direct. There's no room for a variety of interpretations. One simple action word...Slam. One object...Diabetes. Three years ago as we traveled in our van to Maine for vacation, we discussed naming our team for that year's JDRF Walk To Cure. It was lively and emotional discourse. "Diabetes Stinks!" exclaimed Johanna. "Kill Diabetes!" exhorted Nick. "Screw Diabetes", "Mash Diabetes" and "Kick Diabetes" were among the flurry of suggestions slung about the car that day. I thought of a few but chose to keep them to myself for the sake of my kid's ears. Our teenager had some good ones, a couple which were clearly "teen tests" of the discussion parameters. I don't recall who offered up "SlamDiabetes", but when it was, it received unanimous, emphatic approval. I liked it, because it was unequivocal, and certainly less offensive than my unspoken favorite!

Conspicuously absent from this discussion were phrases like, "Making Lemons From Lemonade", "It's A Blessing" or "Manage It Well and Live Long". Other shorter possibilities like "Needles Rot", "Glucose Terminators" or "Sugar Babies" weren't mentioned. Johanna and Nick were given the opportunity to kick-off the discussion and they set the tone. Diabetes deserved no softened address, no rationalizing: they saw no silver lining, no aspect to it that deserved credit or kit gloves. Stomp it, kick it, mash it or slam it...they just wanted to show all those who would see their team shirts that they wanted to make it go away.

At that time, we just wanted to name our walk team but soon thereafter began revisiting the SlamDiabetes concept. It's now the basis for a three-pronged mission:

1. To increase awareness of type 1 diabetes and its impacts on families and children;

2. To help those families affected by type 1 to overcome it and thrive through education, exercise and empowerment; and

3.To help find a cure.

As we embark on this effort, we'll be seeking your input and support, whether it's designing new products, brainstorming campaigns and events, buying a shirt or spreading the word. We look forward to gettin' after it, and ultimately to the day when all those with type 1 diabetes are cured.

Let's SlamDiabetes together!