The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation wants to be a support system for families of Type 1 diabetics and on Feb. 24, they will extend a hand.

JDRF will host an outreach event at 6 p.m. in the Madison City Council Chambers featuring guest speaker, Moria McCarthy Stanford.

Stanford has held multiple roles in JDRF since her daughter Lauren was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 14 years ago.

“Every once in awhile everyone needs a pep talk, that’s what this is about,” said Karen Morris, a representative for JDRF.  “Diabetes never sleeps, and she’s here to say we’re going to get through this.”

Morris said in addition to bringing a bit of motivation to families, JDRF will also try to give families information about different tools they can use to make life easier for them.

“This is about being a support system,” Morris said. “We’re trying to help the families everywhere to make this disease livable.”

Families will have the opportunity to learn more about the foundation’s school tool kit, a newly diagnosed type 1 tool kit and a healthcare provider tool kit.

These tool kits include care instructions, information on forms, tips and questions and guidelines for care providers.

“This is a way to bring families who are all Type 1 diabetics together to have fun,” Morris said.