Alexa's Diabetic Alert Dog

Alexa is four years old, and  was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of two. Her father is also a Type 1 Diabetic (diagnosed at age 15). Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease, in which the pancreas no longer produces insulin. This is not to be confused with Type 2 Diabetes. No amount of diet or exercise will reverse her condition. She needs to inject therapeutic insulin every time she eats in order to live. Unfortunately managing Type 1 Diabetes on a four year old is an extremely difficult, and tedious task, to say the least. It is a constant daily battle to keep Alexa's blood sugars within healthy ranges. Long term complications of Type 1 diabetes are extremely dangerous, and for this very reason we try and keep very tight control of her sugar levels.  One of the most immediate dangers for a Type 1 diabetic is Hypoglycemia, a condition in which ones blood sugar drops to such dangerous levels that if not treated IMMEDIATELY can lead to death. This past year alone two small children (that we know of) with Type 1 diabetes died in their sleep from their sugar dropping too low. For this reason, we have decided to purchase a Diabetic Alert Dog for our daughter's safety. These dogs are scent trained to detect High and Low blood sugar values, and alert the handler immediately.  Not only do they alert to those numbers, but they can detect a fast rise and fast drop in blood sugar as they are happening. Unfortunately, Diabetic Alert Dogs are EXTREMELY pricey... and rightfully so! The training is so rigorous, that they have to live with the trainer 24/7 from anywhere from 6 to 9 months.  These dogs can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000, but can you honestly put a price on your child's life? Please don't look at it as a contribution to the purchase of a very expensive dog, instead look at it as contributing to the purchase of a medical device, that can save my daughter's life... it just so happens to be a dog.  Please HELP us raise the money to provide a Diabetic Alert Dog for our Daughter!