Roberto Candelaria is not only the founder of The Sponsorship Bootcamp and the author of the #1 best-selling book “Relationships Raise Money – A Guide to Corporate Sponsorship”, he is also a Disney fanatic! Woo-hoo!

He is one of our best friends, has helped Elyssa and I with our book campaign, and has mentored us on sponsorship. We met him at his event in May 31 – June 2, 2013 where we also met the fabulous Audrey Hagen of Platinum Events and our first sponsor, Elizabeth McCormick.

Long story short, Audrey told us to finish our book by July so we could speak at Author 101 University in Las Vegas, NV. And we did!!!

Roberto is participating in Team JDRF’s 2014 Walt Disney World 1/2 Marathon to raise money for a cure to Type 1 Diabetes. He is running a campaign to raise $2,750 for JDRF to help find a cure. You can visit it at http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/roberto where you can contribute and read more about the cause.

Roberto has two important reasons to support T1D: Caleb (diagnosed at 13), and his own cousin (diagnosed at 15). People who suffer from T1D do not have life easy. It is a 24/7/365 job, struggle, and pain. According to Statistics:

1. Nearly 26 million Americans have Diabetes (8.3% of the population).
2. Diabetes currently affects more than 371 million people worldwide and is expected to affect 552 million by 2030!
3. Serious effects may include, kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, heart attack, stroke, and pregnancy complications.
4. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause for death in the U.S.
5. T1D accounts for $14.9  billion in healthcare costs in the U.S. each year

Since my sister and I wrote “I Love ME! Self-esteem in 7 Easy Steps“, we know exactly how adults and children suffering from diabetes feel: alone, unloved, and often tortured.

A special message to kids and tweens who feel alone in the world: “Just because someone thinks you are “ugly”, “too nerdy”, or that something is wrong with you, that does not change who you are and who you can be. You are just as pretty, just as smart, and just as special as anyone else. Your weakness does not define YOU!” ~ Elisha

Love who you are and don’t ever forget that you have a purpose! Your life is a gift!

I encourage you to visit http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/roberto and support Roberto Candelaria in JDRF’s run for a cure. We did!

[elisha]