Danvers, Mass. (February X, 2011) – Of the nearly 24 million Americans that have diabetes,  as many as 3 million Americans have type I diabetes, which usually strikes children and young adults. In fact, a staggering 40 children every day are diagnosed with the disease.  Wylinn’s Wish for a Cure is hoping to reduce these numbers by raising funds at the Wish Ball, an evening of dinner and dancing, to be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the Danversport Yacht Club in Danvers, Massachusetts.
Wylinn’s Wish for a Cure was founded by Terry Palmisano of Gloucester as a way to help find a cure in honor of her granddaughter Wylinn who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2008, just before turning four years-old.  Palmisano, encouraged by her team’s fundraising success at a Walk to Cure Diabetes event in Boston, came up with the idea of selling special “Wylinn’s Wish for a Cure” grocery/tote bags at local stores, including Goodies Ice Cream in Danvers, owned by her son and daughter-in-law, Wylinn’s parents, John and Stefani Palmisano.  In addition to raising money, the bags also serve an educational purpose as tucked inside each one is a Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms Sheet.
Feeling that more was needed to raise awareness and fund the research needed to find a cure, Linda Flaherty of Danvers, a friend of Terry’s, decided they could do more.  “Everyone has been touched by diabetes and we really wanted to do something about it,” said Terry Palmisano.  Encouraged by the support of colleagues and friends, now known as the Friends of Wylinn’s Wish for a Cure, they decided that they could increase awareness, raise the most money, and brighten an otherwise dreary month by hosting a gala event.
The Wish Ball, an elegant, “Black Tie Optional” gala, sponsored by the Friends of Wylinn’s Wish for a Cure will be held at the Danversport Yacht Club on Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 6:00pm – midnight.  World class entertainment to be provided by the World Premier Band.  Tickets are $75 each.  Proceeds will support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the leader in diabetes research worldwide  and consistently ranked among the best-managed charitable organizations.
In addition to ticket sales, organizers are looking for sponsors for the event as well as donations of raffle items.  Ads are also available in the Wish Ball program book.  To purchase tickets or make a donation, please contact Linda Flaherty at (978) 808-5233 or wishballcomm@aol.com.