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      May Newsletter    
           
 

Centre Stage ~

   Romantic suspense author Brenda Novak joins us to talk about diabetes and the online charity auction for diabetes research that she hosts each May.    
     

 
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  KF   Welcome, Brenda!  I know your son has Type 1 diabetes—can you share with us a little of what this means to his health and daily life?    
           
  BN   Diabetes is something that requires constant care and constant vigilance. Thad has handled his diabetes very well. He inserts his own pump every three days (the needle looks to be about the size of a sewing needle) and takes shots as needed. He also pricks his fingers 5 - 8 times each day to test his blood and puts up with all the times he feels weak or nauseous as a result of blood glucose fluctuations. That's a lot to endure, but if that was all there was to diabetes, I probably wouldn't complain. My biggest concern is avoiding the tragic side effects that plague diabetics. As hard as we try to keep his blood sugars in a healthy "zone," there's just no way to do the same job as a healthy pancreas. Over time, diabetes affects every major organ in the body. It's the fifth deadliest killer.    
 

 

  

 
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KF

   How does your son having diabetes impact you and the rest of your family?    
           
 

BN

   Diabetes is like wearing a ball and chain--one you can never escape. You have to worry every minute of every day. Thad has to watch what he eats, plan for physical activity, and make sure blood sugars are stable in the night. He's had diabetes for six years, and I've gotten up to test him almost every single night of every single year. Some doctors say this isn't necessary, but I've caught my son going low or high too often not to be vigilant enough to do it anyway. The last thing I want to find is my son dead in his bed.    
 

 

  

 
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KF

   How did you get started with hosting an online charity auction to support diabetes research?    
           
 

BN

   I wanted to make a difference to my son and others like him. Watching him deal with this disease has been heartbreaking at times--and thinking about what might happen in the future terrifies me. About two years after his diagnosis, I was at a silent auction for the local elementary school and the idea occurred to me to hold my own event at my Web site, where I'd already established a great stream of traffic. I'm thrilled that it's worked out as well as it has.    
     

 
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KF

  

What type of items are available in the auction?

    
           
 

BN

  

There will be over 1300 items, many of which can't be found anywhere else, from a drumhead signed by a whole slew of famous music artists (Michael Jackson, Ringo Starr, Bruce Springstein,
and far too many others to list) to meet-and-greets with famous authors, to trips and stays, to jewelry and designer purses, to a whole treasure trove of miscellaneous items donated by Lauren
Hawkeye. And for those who are aspiring to become a novelist or to advance their writing career, there will be AMAZING opportunities. Many of the most powerful agents and editors in the business have donated evaluations—some with the promise of a 24-hour response (which is unheard of in the publishing industry). There will be mentoring packages from NYTimes Bestselling authors, as well--and media training, web designs, publicity packages and lunch with Sue Grimshaw (National buyer for Borders/Waldenbooks).

    
     

 
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KF

   How does someone sign-up to participate in the auction?    
           
 

BN

  

It works just like E-Bay. You register at www.brendanovak.com and bid during the entire month of May (although there are some one-day auctions interspersed in there, too).

   
     

 
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KF

   How do you make a bid on an item?    
           
 

BN

   After you register, you simply browse by category, find something you like and click on the Bid button. The software walks you through it from there.    
     

 
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KF

   Do you have to be there at the closing time to win?    
           
 

BN

  

No, you don't. You can use what's called "limit bidding." That's where you put in the highest amount you'd be willing to pay for that item and go on your way. You won't pay that much unless someone bids against you. Then, if you're challenged, you'll still retain the item until the opposing bids go above your "limit." At that point, the software will notify you in case you want to go back and up your bid.

    
     

 
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KF

   How do you pay for a winning auction?    
           
 

BN

  

When it’s over, you pay with Paypal, credit card or personal check/money order. In most instances the donor even picks up the shipping (aren't my donors generous?).

   
     

   
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KF

   What happens to the funds raised after the auction is over?    
           
 

BN

   This year, the first $150,000 will be given to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Any money we raise over that amount will go to the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami.    
     

 
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KF

   What is the state of diabetes research today—is there a cure in sight?    
           
 

BN

   Researchers have made some great strides. They're currently working on an "artificial pancreas." With that system, the diabetic would no longer have to prick his/her fingers (at least so much). They're also working on ways to get the body to accept transplanted islet cells and have made great progress putting these cells in the eyes of rats and having them function properly afterward. I believe this is a curable disease. We just need to focus and make the final push.    
     

 
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      Thanks for joining us, Brenda!    
     

 
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      On a personal note: 

A little more than a year ago, I was diagnosed with diabetes.  Since that time, I've worked with a specialist and was relieved to find out it was a misdiagnosis (Aging is not always fun or graceful, ok?).  What I want to share with you is a little about the year of living with that diagnosis. 

Everything changes far more than you realize.  During that time, I was required to test my blood glucose six to eight times a day.  Being honest, the challenge didn't lie in poking my finger or recording the numbers but in being reminded of my mortality--over and over and over again, day after day.  I was constantly aware that my life was "different" from everyone else I knew. 

I started reading food labels until my eyes crossed.  None of the "normal" meals around our house were within the carbohydrate limits my doctor set for me.  And just when I thought I had it all figured out, I'd get a cold, or I'd exercise an extra ten minutes, and what had worked the day before wasn't working any more. 

If that wasn't challenging enough, I actually had to leave the safety of my own home and familiar foods because of being invited to something involving one of my children.  So much of what we do as a culture involves food--family celebrations, holidays, daily interactions with others--that we take it for granted.  There was never any rest, no break, no "forget about it for a while" time during that year.

My own body was at war with me, and most days it felt like I was losing.  It was frightening and overwhelming.

As I said, the diagnosis has since been revised--I've been blessed with time to make lifestyle changes without battling such an "in your face" disease.  Getting the correct diagnosis and a few strategic changes in my daily life has relieved most of my challenges.  I am very, very lucky.  After what I experienced--and I did not require any type of medication, only monitoring and lifestyle changes--I cannot imagine facing diabetes as a child, or watching one of my children battle with it.  To know individuals like Brenda and her son, Thad, is humbling and awe inspiring.  

Please, support the auction--and finding a cure--in whatever way you can. 

       

   
      Carpe diem,
                                     Kellie		    
     

   
           
     
 


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