Gianna Pisciotto was two years old when she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Team
Gianna was created to provide funds to find a cure for this disease. Over these years Team Gianna
has helped raise over $51,000 for the American Diabetes Association and Dogs4Diabetics. The
inspiration to continue raising funds foremost comes in watching Gianna overcome all her
obstacles and in the inspirational speech given by her mom which reads as follows:
"Gianna was born on February 8, 2001. My pregnancy was a healthy one without complications. Gianna
was always a happy, healthy baby with a feisty personality. It was in May of 2003 that we started
noticing a change in her. She started drinking an extra sippy cup here and there. I thought she was
going through a growth spurt at first, and I thought it might just be the changing weather. However, after
about a month she was drinking up to five or six cups in one meal sitting. On top of this she was losing
all of her fluids. I just couldn't understand why she was so thirsty! Finally I told my husband that this just
wasn't right. We needed to take Gianna to the doctor. On May 19, 2003 I took Gianna in for a urine and
blood test at her pediatrician's office. He suggested it could be one of two things. She could have a
bladder infection or she could have diabetes. My initial comment was 'there is no way she could have
diabetes! I am sure it isn't that!' A little worried, but still confident there was nothing seriously wrong I
went about the rest of my day. At about 6:45 pm on that evening the phone rang. My husband picked up
the phone and I could just see the worry in his face. All it took was for me to hear the words diabetes
and injections and I immediately broke down into tears. My maternal instinct kicked in and I held Gianna
as close to me as I could. I could not believe what I was hearing. We were told we needed to immediately
get Gianna to the hospital so that she could get admitted for treatment for hyperglycemia and so we
could get the proper instruction to care for her from this point on.
Gianna has to endure 4 to 6 finger pricks daily to check her blood. She has a very regimented diet and
exercise program. Each of her insulin injections, a minimum of 3 daily, varies depending on the amount
of carbs she ate in combination with the amount of exercise she would get. We must bring her supplies
everywhere she goes.
Through this experience I have learned that there are so many things in the world we take for granted,
like being able to just go to the store without planning or just grabbing an ice cream at the park, or
having birthday cake at a party. Our lives have completely changed because of this disease. We have
to think about every meal, plan every outing, make sure we are stocked with medical supplies and see
the doctor regularly.
Every time I give Gianna an injection or prick her finger to draw blood I think how I would give my life to
be able to switch places with her. I would do anything in my power to take this disease away!''
note: On December 7, 2005 Gianna began using an insulin pump. Things are better, but it is
not the cure!
Gianna was created to provide funds to find a cure for this disease. Over these years Team Gianna
has helped raise over $51,000 for the American Diabetes Association and Dogs4Diabetics. The
inspiration to continue raising funds foremost comes in watching Gianna overcome all her
obstacles and in the inspirational speech given by her mom which reads as follows:
"Gianna was born on February 8, 2001. My pregnancy was a healthy one without complications. Gianna
was always a happy, healthy baby with a feisty personality. It was in May of 2003 that we started
noticing a change in her. She started drinking an extra sippy cup here and there. I thought she was
going through a growth spurt at first, and I thought it might just be the changing weather. However, after
about a month she was drinking up to five or six cups in one meal sitting. On top of this she was losing
all of her fluids. I just couldn't understand why she was so thirsty! Finally I told my husband that this just
wasn't right. We needed to take Gianna to the doctor. On May 19, 2003 I took Gianna in for a urine and
blood test at her pediatrician's office. He suggested it could be one of two things. She could have a
bladder infection or she could have diabetes. My initial comment was 'there is no way she could have
diabetes! I am sure it isn't that!' A little worried, but still confident there was nothing seriously wrong I
went about the rest of my day. At about 6:45 pm on that evening the phone rang. My husband picked up
the phone and I could just see the worry in his face. All it took was for me to hear the words diabetes
and injections and I immediately broke down into tears. My maternal instinct kicked in and I held Gianna
as close to me as I could. I could not believe what I was hearing. We were told we needed to immediately
get Gianna to the hospital so that she could get admitted for treatment for hyperglycemia and so we
could get the proper instruction to care for her from this point on.
Gianna has to endure 4 to 6 finger pricks daily to check her blood. She has a very regimented diet and
exercise program. Each of her insulin injections, a minimum of 3 daily, varies depending on the amount
of carbs she ate in combination with the amount of exercise she would get. We must bring her supplies
everywhere she goes.
Through this experience I have learned that there are so many things in the world we take for granted,
like being able to just go to the store without planning or just grabbing an ice cream at the park, or
having birthday cake at a party. Our lives have completely changed because of this disease. We have
to think about every meal, plan every outing, make sure we are stocked with medical supplies and see
the doctor regularly.
Every time I give Gianna an injection or prick her finger to draw blood I think how I would give my life to
be able to switch places with her. I would do anything in my power to take this disease away!''
note: On December 7, 2005 Gianna began using an insulin pump. Things are better, but it is
not the cure!
Gianna age 2
Gianna age
10
10
Team Gianna
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Team Gianna raised $10,000 for
the American Diabetes Walk in
2004 hosted by the Oakland
Raiders
the American Diabetes Walk in
2004 hosted by the Oakland
Raiders
