SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY KEEPS DIABETES FOUNDATION DRIVING TOWARD A CURE

She isn’t sure how it all began or where she first learned about the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi.

But Patty Peck-Christie does know that for the past 21 years, she and her husband, Jeff Christie, have donated an estimated $250,000 to the cause of promoting diabetes awareness, services and educational tools to Mississippians with this chronic illness.

It’s not because they feel obligated, because they don’t.

And it’s not because they signed any sort of contract agreeing to donate car after car from their family-owned car dealership to help raise money for the DFM– a nonprofit organization that provides research, programs and services to Mississippians of all ages who live with diabetes.

Neither she nor her husband have diabetes, and neither of their children have diabetes either. But diabetes, nonetheless, has touched her family’s life in one very personal way.

“Jeff’s grandmother died of complications from diabetes 14 years ago this July,” Peck-Christie said. “And she was the sweetest woman who ever lived.”

Since her death, the Christies’ dedication to helping improve the lives of other Mississippians with diabetes has become stronger, their mission of service, more well-defined.

“Diabetes is such a horrific disease,” Christie said. “Our hope is that the DFM will continue pursuing research and a cure will be found.”

Since their involvement with the DFM began in 1986, the Christies also have served on the DFM Board of Directors and have been instrumental in raising money in the annual “Car for a Cure” giveaway. Since the first giveaways over two decades ago, Christie estimated that $400,000 to $500,000 has been raised for the DFM.

“It’s been very rewarding,” Peck-Christie said. “The most fun part is giving the car away, because it’s always someone who really needs a car that wins, and that’s a really good feeling.”

“When we call the person to tell them that they’ve won, they’re very excited. And some think it’s a prank and can’t believe they’ve won,” Christie said with a laugh.

What makes it even better is knowing that all of the proceeds stay in Mississippi- the money supports the DFM’s school programs and patients throughout the state who have diabetes, he said.

“It just adds a personal touch,” he said. “I like that every dollar stays in our state to help Mississippians with diabetes and to raise awareness. At the DFM, everyone has the best interests of the patients in mind. Nobody treats their work as a job- everyone is so dedicated, compassionate and involved.”

“The DFM has become a part of our life,” Peck-Christie added. “We’re definitely planning on staying involved.”

The “Car for a Cure” giveaway will be held Sept. 6, and the winner will receive the 2007 Patty Peck Honda Civic. Tickets are 10 for $200 or five for $100, and individual tickets are $25. All proceeds help provide Mississippians with life-saving medical supplies, education and support. Donations also help send children to diabetes camp.

The DFM is the state’s only nonprofit health organization that provides diabetes research, information, patient services and advocacy, and its mission is to provide hope through research, programs and service to the 346,500 Mississippians with diabetes. Every dollar raised by the DFM stays in the state to support these efforts. Likewise, 90 cents of every dollar raised goes towards the organization’s charitable purposes. The DFM is the one diabetes organization totally dedicated to all Mississippians– from children to seniors– who live with diabetes.

For more information about tickets, please visit the DFM Web site, www.msdiabetes.org, or call 601-957-7878.