Greer's OC

You can help find a cure for Type 1 diabetes.

On Sunday, Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. join me and thousands of others in the Walk to Cure Diabetes at UC Irvine to raise funding for research in the fight against Type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is not caused by obesity, overeating or a lack of exercise; it is an autoimmune disease that can strike anyone at any time — most frequently children. Insulin keeps people with Type 1 diabetes alive, but it is not a cure.

Fatal complications caused by the disease include kidney failure, blindness, amputation, heart attack and stroke. Children and adults with juvenile diabetes and their families are in a constant battle to manage blood-sugar levels with six or more daily finger pricks to test blood, multiple insulin injections each day, and careful monitoring of exercise and food intake.

My son Tristan was diagnosed seven years ago this month at age 14. Just to stay alive, he has given himself more than 15,330 shots of insulin since he was diagnosed.

The good news is that last year, JDRF expanded its research goals to be more patient focused:  to cure, treat, and prevent type 1 diabetes (T1D).  It’s highest priority is to cure T1D and remove the disease from the lives of our loved ones.

By making a tax-deductible donation, you can be a part of bringing about a cure. Each of us can make a difference.

You’ll also want to take advantage of the festivities and foods at the Food Festival. Participating eateries include Wienerschnitzel, Buffalo Wild Wings, Whole Foods, Bruegger’s, Bye Bye Sugar Bakery, Famous Dave’s BBQ Shack, Rubio’s, and Coca Cola.

Fleming's 5 6 7

Leave the trick-or-treating to the young ones, and take advantage of Fleming’s 5 for $6 'Til 7 menu in Newport Beach all night on Halloween. The special includes $6 wines, cocktails such as a Manhattan and a vintage vodka martini, and Pinot Noir, Angeline and Cabernet, Paripaso, and generous appetizers served from open until closing time at the Fleming’s bar.

The $5 appetizer menu includes jumbo shrimp cocktail, sweet chile calamari, roasted mushroom ravioli, tenderloin carpaccio, wicked Cajun barbecue shrimp; and best of all, a prime burger with cheese and bacon.

Fleming’s Newport Beach is at 455 Newport Center Drive. 949.720.9633.