November is National Diabetes Month, and to help raise more awareness for the cause, Pasco County tax collector Mike Fasano is partnering with Terri’s Tears Charitable Trust Foundation to raise some money.
Throughout the month, all five branches of the tax collector’s office will collect cash donations, that will in turn be donated to Terri’s Tears, which Fasano says has a proven track record in diabetes research. It is estimated that more than 1 million Floridians have diabetes, and it’s further estimated that 30,000 children and young adults are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes annually.
“Our foundation’s mission statement is nine simple words: Because we have to find a cure for diabetes,” said Vince Garofolo, president and chief executive of Terri’s Tears, in a release. “The monies raised through this campaign will help us to fund research institutions in their pursuit of a cure. We appreciate the support Mr. Fasano, his staff, and the 200-plus employees who are willing to help us educate the citizens of Pasco about diabetes, and we thank them for their generosity to the cause.”
Terri’s Tears was founded to honor the memory of Mary Theresa “Terri” Garofolo, a Type 1 insulin dependent diabetic for more than 35 years. Terri’s Tears raises money to assist with research efforts to help people afflicted with this disease.
“There probably is not a person or family who has not been impacted by diabetes in some form,” Fasano said, in a release. “I venture to guess that everyone either has personal experience, or knows someone who is a diabetic.
“During November, I encourage our customers to drop a donation into our collection jars. Every dollar raised will bring diabetes research one step closer to finding either a cure, or better treatments for those afflicted with diabetes.”
Besides making donations at the tax collector’s office, people can send a donation to Terri’s Tears, c/o Florida West Coast Credit Union, 7200 Ridge Road, Suite 1, Port Richey, FL, 34668.
For information on where to donate, visit PascoTaxes.com.
