| Birthdate. Diagnosis date. Pumping date. 3 am blood sugar checks. Wishing for a cure. Smiles. Lots of smiles. All are in the Quilt for Life, part of Children with Diabetes. For many, diabetes is about numbers. For us, diabetes is about Marissa and Sam and Lori and Justin and the tens of thousands of other children with diabetes. In the Quilt for Life, diabetes is transformed from the impersonal to the personal, from the abstract world of numbers to the real world of children living everyday with finger sticks and insulin injections. In the Quilt for Life, we all see the wonder of our kids and we rededicate ourselves to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes. |
| -- Jeff Hitchcock, CWD Founder |
Children with Diabetes (CWD) families now have a new way to let their voices be heard and their families be counted--through the CWD Quilt for Life. With each 3' x 3' quilt square representing someone with diabetes, this will be a powerful message to the public that our children are real people with real hopes and dreams -- and they want a cure now!
We sincerely hope that all families with type 1 diabetes will send a quilt square in honor of their family member. There is much strength in numbers. A quilt with over a thousand squares, each representing one child with this devastating disease, will be a powerful visual reminder that our children live with this disease every day, take insulin to stay alive, and are relying on us to keep the future bright for a cure. The quilt will continue to expand and grow as more families from across the U.S. and around the world hear about this project and send squares representing their children. We will display the Quilt for Life every year at the annual CWD conference, and at other diabetes rallies and venues. It will be a tremendous public awareness tool.
Online Quilt Gallery
Photographs of each quilt square, along with information about the person behind the square, can be viewed at the Online Quilt Gallery. When you send in your square, please include a photograph of the person so it too can be included in the online archive.
Showings of the Quilt
The Quilt for Life is shown at all Children with Diabetes Friends for Life conferences. It is no longer shown at the regional conferences because it requires too much space.
- Showing in Washington, DC in August 2008
- Showing in Washington, DC in June 2006
- ADA 2005 Scientific Sessions
- Friends for Life: Orlando 2005
- Friends for Life: LA 2004
- Focus on Fitness & Nutrition - San Antonio 2004
- Focus on Fitness & Nutrition - Baltimore 2003
- Friends for Life: Orlando 2003
- Focus on Technology - Tucson 2003
- Focus on Technology - Michigan 2002
- First Showing: Friends for Life: Pasadena 2002 -- July 21, 2002
How Do I Participate?
Design your square! Quilt squares can be for anyone with type 1 diabetes -- child or adult. If you have more than one child with type 1 diabetes, each may contribute a square. Squares need to have the following requirements:
- Each quilt square must be exactly 3' x 3' (yes, feet, or about 92 centimeters square) when completed.
- Each quilt square must be be fully finished and hemmed. Do not send an unhemmed square because we do not have the ability to hem it for you.
- Anything glued on needs to be very securely attached. CWD is not responsible for pieces that fall off.
- The square needs to have your name and address on the back. As a suggestion, with permanent marker, write it on a separate piece of cloth and sew that to the back of the quilt.
- You may choose whatever material you wish. There are no rules about types of material, patterns, colors, etc.
- Please do not attach "sharps" to your square. This is a safety concern.
After you've completed your quilt square, fill in the Quilt Submission Form and send it with your quilt to the address shown on the form. It's that easy!
Suggestions for Quilt Squares
If you're not sure what to put on your quilt square, here are some suggestions:
- Use iron on transfer paper and print a photo of your child (or yourself) on the fabric
- If you participate in sports, include a jersey from the sport
- Use fabric markers to draw on a square, if you're unsure about quilting
- Include the flag of your state or country, to show the global reach of type 1 diabetes
- Please send a photograph of the person for whom the quilt square is made. This will be included in the online database of the quilt.
What if I've Never Quilted Before?
Making a quilt square can be very simple - or very complicated! The choice is entirely yours!
Several CWD parents who are experts in quilting have offered to assist with questions you might have. They suggest that you review the following web sites for "beginner's information."
For more information about the CWD Quilt for Life, please contact:
Children with Diabetes, Inc.
8216 Princeton-Glendale Road, PMB 200
West Chester, OH 45069-1675
This site is published by Children With Diabetes, Inc, which is responsible for its contents.