Hi my name is Julie and I'm from Illinois!

I was born with Congenital Hyperinsulinism. It is a rare disease where the pancreas secretes too much insulin. I was born with a blood sugar of 10, this is dangerously low. A normal blood sugar is between 70-90. I was immediately put on a sugar drip because my doctors thought this was temporary. After about a week on consistent low blood sugars, I was put on Diazoxide which kept my blood sugars up. This medicine was a lifeline for me for twelve years, until I grew out of it. I've been able to live a "normal" life as a seventeen year old. Despite all the genetic tests I've had, I still do not know the type of Hyperinsulinism I have. By donating to research, you can help other people like me find answers.

Hi my name is Lena and I'm from California!

My birth was a bit traumatic to say the least, and it wasn’t until the nurse checked my blood sugar that the doctors really realized something was wrong. I was diagnosed with Hyperinsulinism. When I was fifteen months old, I went to the CHOP, a children’s hospital in Philadelphia known for its CHI care. Eventually I was given a pump that continuously pumped medicine into my body to maintain my sugar levels. Thankfully, by third grade, I outgrew my condition! However, to this day hyperinsulinism remains an important part of my past and I hope to make a difference for CHI in my future.

Thank you so much for donating!