The Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund has always been a favorite charity of the Gurino family of Manhasset. So it is not unusual that they raised $30,000 this summer hosting their third annual Cigar Night at their home.
Anthony and Linda Gurino, along with Anthony’s brother Angelo and JDRF advocate, Joe Mure, hosted an enchanted evening under the stars at their South Strathmore home. Guests were greeted with a glass of champagne and entered into a candlelit property illuminating the venue.
The beautifully decorated tables provided seating for the 175+ guest. The guests, primarily male, relaxed to sounds of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Perry Cuomo to set the mood. Additionally, sounds from the tenor Christopher Macchio, were enjoyed throughout evening. A wide variety of food was relished including: roasted pigs, lobsters as well as a full antipasto table. Highlighting the feast was a four-foot-wide JDRF ice sculpture identifying the objective of the evening.
Major sponsors, including FedEx and the Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation contributed to the success of the evening.
The Gurinos first heard about Juvenile Diabetes and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation on Aug. 25, 2008. Anthony and Linda spent the day in the hospital with their oldest son who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a disorder of the body’s immune system and occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys certain cells in the pancreas.
Those affected with type 1 diabetes need insulin to survive. Regular testing of blood sugar is required sometimes up to six or more times a day. Insulin is delivered through injections through an insulin pump where insulin is delivered through a catheter underneath the skin. Monitoring of food intake and moderate exercise is required to regulate blood sugar levels to avoid hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) reactions, which can be life threatening.
Type 1 diabetes is generally diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults.
Both the Gurinos and their close friend, Joe Mure, are familiar with the disease. Both Mure and his younger son also have Type 1 Diabetes.
Joe visited Linda and her family in the hospital and spent countless hours teaching them how to inject insulin into their son, testing his sugar, as well as teaching them ways to cope with their new life.
Mure told them to contact JDRF and utilize advocates to help the Gurinos with the learning process. “If it wasn’t for Joe’s support, the strong support of family, like Anthony’s brother Angelo and the assistance from the JDRF Foundation, I’m not sure how we could have handled this new diagnosis,” says Linda. Mure has been an advocate for JDRF for many years and spends many hours helping newly diagnosed children overcome their fears. His life has been dedicated to raising funds for research to help finding a cure for Juvenile Diabetes.
Due to years of research, doctors and scientists have made amazing discoveries in their efforts to understand and combat the disease, the majority of which is made possible through the fundraising efforts of JDRF and people like Mure. Over the last few years, the Gurino family has joined Mure’s efforts and worked with the foundation on annual events such as their annual dinner dance, cigar night, local Walk to Cure Diabetes fundraisers.
This fall the Gurino family is co-chairing, with Mure, a formal cocktail evening to take place on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Tiro a Segno in Manhattan. “One hundred percent of all profits go to the JDRF,” explains Gurino.
“JDRF has made incredible progress over the years,” says Linda. “Insulin pumps were the size of backpacks; now they fit in your pocket.” “Recently, the FDA approved a nasal spray in hopes to remove the need for injections.” The Gurinos hope through their efforts to finally find a cure.
For tickets for the upcoming dinner dance and additional information, contact Linda Gurino at jdrf08cure@gmail.com
