EatSmart fans will select each Charity of the Month in 2012. Fans will submit short stories about the charity’s mission and why it’s meaningful to them. We began our Charity of the Month donations in 2011. For August 2012, loyal EatSmart Fan, Maria McCauley selected the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. We will be donating 50 cents for every new Twitter follower during the month of August. (So spread the word!) Read why Maria picked the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: When the lovely Karen Welby contacted me from EatSmart and asked if I would be interested in choosing this month’s organization for Charity of the Month – I was honored - and knew right away which one I would choose – Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Just in my close circle of friends and family, I know three young children who are afflicted with juvenile diabetes – two of which have been battling it since infancy. What amazes me is how strong and resilient these young children are as they are poked and prodded daily and continue to deal with the ups and downs of the disease.

Every day, nearly forty children are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in the US. Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong (chronic) disease in which there are high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Without constant administration of insulin, the T1D can eventually be fatal.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation works hard on research trying to find a cure and to improve the lives of those affected by type 1 (juvenile) diabetes. They work hard to accelerate the progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing the disease. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners who share this goal. Each year I try to do my part by participating in the Walk to Cure Diabetes. I am thrilled that EatSmart is giving me another opportunity to help in some small way. For more information about JDRF and to learn what you can do to help, please visit their website http://www.jdrf.org/. And thank you again to EatSmart Products for the opportunity to help a worthy cause. About Maria: Hi! My name is Maria from Huff and Buff! In addition to being a wife and a mom, I am an accountant by day, blogger by night and fitness enthusiast for life. I began blogging to discuss my passion for fitness and striking a balance to fit it all in. A huge proponent of at-home exercise, I love hosting reviews for some of the great exercise programs you can do right in the comfort of your own home! You can find me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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If interested in submitting a charity for consideration, please email karen@eatsmartproducts.com. The donation amount will be capped at 500 new followers/likes.