News and Events:

Bowling for Courage (Spring Session 2011)!
2011, April 3... We love these bowling events at our hometown bowling house 'Summit Lanes' in Lee's Summit! We get in a few games of extreme bowling under GLOWING lights, some food and drink while having a great time supporting a good cause. This will be our first Spring Session so we hope you will continue to support our mission of helping those living with type 1 diabetes. And we are always happy to see you new supporters to our little foundation. So get your registration in early and plan on being there Sunday, at noon, on April 3, 2011. We are looking forward to seeing you!!

Registration Form: Spring Bowling Event (April 3, 2011)
Facebook Photos: (From our 2010 Bowling Event)

KC Royals Award Kids With Courage a Grant!
2010, November... The Kansas City Royals Charities have honored Kids With Courage with a grant. This grant will enable Kids With Courage to provide 81 newly diagnosed children and young people with a 'Crate, Full of Courage'. We are so grateful to The Kansas City Royals Charities Board of Directors, Management and Staff for their overwhelming support! We continue to serve our mission and are so thankful when organizations join with us to help accomplish our goals! Thank you Kansas City Royals Charities.

One Inspired Evening (Longview Mansion)
2010, November 5... Now, if you missed our 3rd birthday celebration 'One Inspired Evening' at the Historic and beautiful Longview Mansion, don't be too disappointed. But I will tell you, that you won't want to let the next opportunity pass you by and here is why:

Picture being at this awesome mansion built back in 1913 and getting spiffed up in your Sunday best clothes on a Friday night, enjoying hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and a rich Tuscan Buffet dinner at fine white cloth clad tables adorned by Orchid centerpieces artistically created by 'Birds Botanicals' and then treated to an inspirational 30 minute eye dampening presentation emceed by our celebrity Keith King from NBC Action News. Now if that picture looks pretty good,.. just hold on Nellie, because we then followed that up by having The Big Mama Band wrangle up an great mix of rockin' dance music as everyone was treated to scrumptious chocolate or vanilla cupcakes by 'Bells Little Big Cakes' and flavored cake-balls by 'Cravings Bakery'. So just when you thought you could throw up the white flag surrendering to sensory overload, you find that you also had a chance to bid on some great silent auction items that are fun, useful and totally affordable. And just in case these festivities were not enough, you are also surrounded by great people with friendly faces and big hearts that all came together again to support Kids With Courage. Lord take me now, cause' it don't get much better!

It truly is a wonderful world and we want to thank all those that came to celebrate with us and all those people that made this evening a real local must-see event! And for those of you that missed out, we hope that you can make our 4th birthday party.(details to follow...)

Facebook Photos: 3rd Birthday Gala

Bowling for Courage!
2010, October 3... Yes, for a 3rd year we have had such a great turn out with our friends, family and supporters of Kids With Courage at our hometown bowling house Summit Lanes. There were people from all ages from 2 to ..., well let's just say older than 2, enjoying a few games of extreme bowling and some food knowing that the they were having fun and supporting a good cause. (We have Facebook pictures to prove it!) And for a 3rd year we are so thankful for those of you that chose to come help us continue with our mission of helping those children and their family that have just been introduced to a life living with type 1 diabetes. We are always so thankful of you showing your support and we look forward to seeing you again in October of 2011. Thanks so much, and keep those bowing shoes ready!

Facebook Photos: Extreme Bowling 2010

Thanks to KC Royals and State Farm, KWC receives Good Neighbor Award!:
2010, July 31... The Royals have a couple of Big 'Thank You's' from KWC for July! Not only did they provide us tickets for our 'Family Fun Night at the K' on the 16th, but they also provided the Royals Game on the 31st as a backdrop where KWC received the 'State Farm Good Neighbor' award for our dedication to serving kids and families living with Type 1 diabetes. So before the game started and shown on the Jumbotron, KWC representative McGwire accepted the award on the field from State Farm agent Joe Oldham for all to see. We are thankful to the KC Royals and to State Farm Insurance for publicly recognizing the work that Kids With Courage does. It's a great honor being recognized by good organizations and we know that all you KWC supporters can take much of the credit for this honor. Without your help and support, we cannot do what we do. Like any good organization, its a team effort. So on behalf of all of you, we thank the KC Royals and State Farm Insurance!

(SOLD OUT!)Family Fun Night at the K with the Royals!:
2010, July 16... Well it's time we enjoyed a night out and our hometown Kansas City Royals have pitched in to make a fun night for KWC and YOU. So step up to the plate for this pitch... For $6 a ticket, on Friday, July 16th, YOU can:

• Enjoy pregame tailgating and food
• A ticket to The Kansas City Royals Game
• Followed by KC's Best Fireworks Show following the game
• And meet other families living with Type 1

Dr. Kurt Midyett joins KWC board:
2010, June... I am pleased to announce that effective immediately Dr. L. Kurt Midyett, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology of the University of Kansas Medical Center has generously volunteered his time to serve on the 'Kids With Courage' Foundation Board. Doctor Midyett's decision to join us in our commitment to little girls, little boys and their families in this capacity validates to us his feelings about the importance of what we are doing and his desire to help us succeed. His most capable, caring hands and warm heart will be a marvelous addition to our group.

BORDERS Bookstore of Lee's Summit:
2010, March & April... Border's Books of Lees Summit selected Kids With Courage as their local Charity of Choice for March and April. Patrons of the Lee's Summit bookseller had the opportunity to purchase and donate a children's book or a plush bunny to our organization. And in the usual Midwest spirit of giving, the results were awesome! We had Hundreds of books donated as well as several plush bunnies donated in those 2 months. The Bunnies will find their rightful place in the hands of newly diagnosed Type 1 children at Children's Mercy Hospital through our 'Crate, Full of Courage' program, and we are working on getting the books donated to Children's Mercy Endocrinology department for those returning patients to take with them after their checkup. Thank you Lee’s Summit, and thank you Border's Books for supporting your hometown charities!

Courage Club Sign a Lion, and make a difference:
2009, September... Yes, it's fund-raising time, and you can help! On October 11, 2009, we invite you and your friends to join us at our 2nd Bowling for Courage event. Information and registration form is available on our home page top banner.

You can join the Courage Club and Sign a Lion for $1 with our "For the Love of Lions" campaign. This fund-raiser is always available, great for retail establishments and so easy to do. This campaign brings awareness about Type 1 diabetes and helps us raise money to continue our support programs. If you know of a business that would like to help support our programs for these brave children and young people battling Type 1 diabetes, then please let us know. November (National Diabetes Awareness Month) is always a great time for this effort.

Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce:
2009, July... We are so grateful that the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce believes in our mission. They have made a difference in the lives of our brave children and young people who battle daily to live. Kids With Courage was fortunate enough to be chosen to be the recipient of a $500 contribution from their annual golf event. Kids With Courage also benefited by having the ability to share it’s mission with Lee’s Summit businesses, and bring much needed awareness about Type 1 diabetes. Thank you Lee’s Summit, and thank you Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce!

FedEx/Kinko’s, now FedEx Office and Bobby Brugger:
2009, June... Bobby Brugger’s daughter was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Her daughter received one of our ‘Crate, Full of Courage’ crates. Bobby felt that the bundle of encouragement was so helpful to her and her daughter that they had to help. Bobby talked with her employer, FedEx/Kinko’s and arranged for a $500 donation. Bobby’s gesture validates that the ‘Crate, Full of Courage’ program is making a positive impact in the lives of children, young people and their families at a profoundly difficult time. We thank you Bobby and FedEx. Bobby states “I appreciate working for a company that is global in scale and in heart.” They have a special place in our hearts too…thank you!

New Incoming Sponsors:
2008, December... We are extremely pleased to welcome a new sponsor to the KWC foundation. Insulet Corporation, makers of the Omni Pod Insulin Delivery System, has generously offered to become a crate sponsor. We thank them for their involvement. Their contributions will help us fill many more 'Crates Full of Courage'. Thank you Insulet Corporation!

Kansas City Repertory Theater graciousness:
2008, December... Stepping in to provide help, the Kansas City Repertory Theater offered the talents of their staff to construct 300 crates! We received the crates and they are fabulous! This will keep us in good supply for one year. Thank you KC Rep for coming to our rescue!

For the Love of Lions:
2008, November... We are so very excited to have renewed our "For the Love of Lions" campaign for it's second year. Businesses participated by having clients and customers sign a paper 'lion' and contribute a minimum donation of $1 to have that Lion displayed at that place of business. This is an enormously successful campaign for us and we are very grateful for the businesses that participated for the second year:

• Classic Hair. 9914 Holmes, Kansas City
• Cupini’s. 601 NE Woods Chapel Road, Lee’s Summit
• Nila’s Pizza, 522 S. Main, Grain Valley

• Governor Stumpy’s. 321 E. Gregory Blvd, Kansas City
• 7-Eleven, 319 E. 63rd St, Kansas City

Bowling for Courage!
2008, October... Years ago, there was a local Game Show on television called, "Bowling for Dollars". That is exactly what happened for KWC on a Sunday afternoon in October. Both adults and kids combined on the lanes to raise money for KWC at Summit Lanes in Lees Summit, MO.

Our thanks go out to all the participants as well as the following sponsors: Lee’s Summit Lanes, Insulet Corporation, K & S Medical, Cupini’s, Blake Roberson of State Farm Ins, Broken Arrow Electric Supply, Carter Creations, Happy Hour Liquors, Steven B. Lemieux, DDS, Manny’s of KC, Molly Jaynes Clothing Boutique, Olive Garden Restaurant, Paradise Park, Trezomare Ristorante, Barry Stipp Photography.

It's Official, Roche Diagnostics is Kids With Courage First Sponsor:
2008, May... On behalf of the many children and young people whose lives have been forever changed with a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, we are grateful to Roche Diagnostics (Accu-chek) for stepping forward to stand beside us in our ambitious endeavor to start the Kids With Courage Foundation. We truly appreciate your desire to comprehend the significance of our foundation. You will always have the distinct honor of being the Kids With Courage first official sponsor. A very special thank you goes out to Bridget and Charlie for making this happen!

Thank You Clinton School District:
2008, April... The Kids With Courage Foundation was blessed and honored to be the charitable benefactor of the Clinton School District's lovely event, "From a Father's Heart Charity Ball". This ball is an important component of the Month of the Child, a child advocacy initiative celebrated nationally each year. The purpose of Month of the Child is to focus public attention on issues affecting children. The "From a Father's Heart Charity Ball" is one of the most important events held during this annual initiative. Through this special event they are able to: Celebrate the special bond between a father and child; Provide fathers an opportunity to make a commitment of time and presence to what matters most,...children...and family; Model for children the importance of contributing to the community; And raise awareness about children’s health concerns.

The School District chose Kids With Courage to receive their donation because Trent, an 11 year old student at Clinton was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes about a month before their event. Trents mother Sarah, is a teacher in the Clinton School District. Trent had received a "Crate, Full of Courage". Sarah said that "The Uninvited Stranger", our booklet of support touched upon each and every emotion she was feeling after this life-altering diagnosis.

This incredible gesture validates that the "Crate, Full of Courage" program is making a positive influence in the lives of children, young people and their families at a profoundly difficult time.

Living with diabetes, as Trent is forced to do, is a life-long battle. We believe that Trent is a remarkably brave young man: with the love and help of his wonderful parents and the support of the amazing Clinton community, he will be able to succeed even with the challenges that diabetes will bring throughout his life.

Sometimes words just are not enough to convey the gratitude we feel toward the entire Clinton community for their generous gesture and most valuable support. Your actions and your significant contribution to our "Crate, Full of Courage" program will go a long way in "Keeping Dreams Alive" for other newly diagnosed children and young people at Children's Mercy Hospital.

Mr. Lee Iacocca wrote to us recently.
2008, April... He says... "I want to congratulate you for taking the initiative to purse positive steps toward coping with this terrible disease. It is my goal to find a cure within my lifetime, so that foundations like yours won't be necessary."

Join the Courage Club. Sign a Lion for $1.
2008, April... This fund-raiser is always available to do. Great for retail establishments and so easy to do. If you would like to bring awareness about Type 1 diabetes, and help us raise money to continue our support programs, you can help! If you know of a business that would like to support our brave children and young people battling Type 1 diabetes, please let us know.

Tragic News:
2008, March... The tragic news of an 11 year old little girl in Wausau, Wisconsin who died because her parents didn't know she had Type 1 diabetes, and did not seek medical attention to save her life causes us much grief, sadness and outrage. The general public's reactions, opinions, writings and comments can also be alarming.

The seriousness of Type 1 diabetes is widely misunderstood by our society. Why? A combination of factors I'm sure. Is it that the disease with a similar name, Type 2 diabetes is so prevalent that people incorrectly associate the name diabetes as one generic disease, even though as a matter of science, they are two distinctly different diseases? It is very possible that the general population may not understand the disease unless they are affected by it. Whatever the reasons, there is an enormous need for education, information and awareness about this dreadful disease. Our precious children should not have to suffer a slow and painful death or lose their lives prematurely!

In response to this heartbreak, the Kids With Courage Foundation is taking several actions. We will be appealing to numerous media outlets asking them to use their powerful communication ability to publish our press release "100% OF THE TIME, YOUR CHILD WILL DIE IF THEY HAVE UNDIAGNOSED AND UNTREATED TYPE 1 DIABETES". The information will contain early warning signs, and symptoms to watch for in children, along with information about Type 1 diabetes. In addition, Kids With Courage plans to send this same information to all local school district administrative offices, beckoning them to use there strong vehicles to get this critical information to children and families.

"All-In For Courage" a huge success:
2008, February... Our charity poker tournament "All In For Courage" that took place this month was a tremendous success. Everyone who played enjoyed good food and had a great time. We were able to bring awareness about Type 1 diabetes, and the benefits that our programs are having on our children and young people with battling it, and raise a little money to continue our programs. We are truly grateful to the many local businesses who contributed prizes. We thank all who participated, and all who volunteered their time to help. Special thanks to Aaron Rose of Hereford House Restaurants, Russ and Lise Groshans of Casa Bella Homes, and volunteers, Alexa and Sheila Blaschke. Jay Miller, the 1st place prize winner of a 37" LCD/HDTV, asked, "When's the next tournament?"

Thank You MedPORT!
2007, September... MedPORT (www.medportllc.com) manufactures the best diabetes organizers ever made! That's not the only thing they make. They definitely helped make our day!

Christy M, a MedPORT representative informed us that MedPORT will donate a number of their MedPORT Daily Organizer's to "Kids With Courage". These handy organizers will be packed into the "Crateful of Courage" that we give to children newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. We have received these donated organizers and they are Awesome!

So a sincere "Thank You" to MedPORT for stepping up to help put these courageous kids on the road to effectively managing their Type 1 diabetes!

Press Kit: Kids With Courage Press Kit