Fundraiser for Baby With Diabetes

by Erin Gallagher

Lila May Maitland is 15 months old. Her mom, Tawny, pricks Lila every two hours to check her blood sugar levels. Lila has been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. The 12 pricks a day are saving Lila's life.

"It's hard on a baby because she can't tell you how she feels, if she's high or she's low," Tawny Maitland said. "You just have to keep checking her.

The public is invited to help the Maitland family raise $20,000 needed to help Lila. The funds will pay for a Diabetic Alert Dog, which ranges from $10-$20,000.

"The dog can tell us when she's high or low," the mother said.

Another $5,000 is needed to purchase a special monitor. Then, the sensors must be changed every seven days, costing $300 a month.

Anyone wanting to contribute can click to www.gofundme.com/9usjuo.

Or, there will be a fundraising event on September 21 at Mongo McMichaels Restaurant, 1101 N. Independence Boulevard in Romeoville. It starts at noon and does not have an end time.

The event will have a live DJ, food buffet, cash bar, 50/50 raffle and other raffles. Tickets are $20 per person or $35 per couple in advance. At the door, tickets acost $25 each. Children five and under are $10 each.

For more information, contact Tawny Maitland at 630-303-7425.