Mike Gilbert has witnessed diabetes affect his family for his entire life, and using his Senior Project he decided it was time to give back. When did it occur, Gilbert held a bowling benefit, and raised proceeds for victims of diabetes.

Participants of the event laced their bowling shoes and the games began. Balls rolled down the alleys, one after another, and crashed down the pins. At the end of the night, Mike realized it was a better turnout than he expected.
Gilbert put an enormous amount of time and effort into this event, and was pleased with its success. He set up a meeting with the bowling alley manager and received permission to use the alley. To advertise the event and increase his proceeds, he also set up a raffle to win a free tuxedo.

Gilbert’s reasoning for picking this senior project was “to give back.”
“Everyone in my family has diabetes,” said Gilbert, “so I wanted to help, while doing something fun. My family loves to bowl so I figured I could get a lot of people to come and help.”
Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels tend to be higher than normal. When a person has diabetes the pancreas makes little, not enough, or no insulin. The body also prevents the insulin that is made from working correctly. As a result sugar can’t get into the cells, so it stays in the blood, which causes blood sugar to stay too high. Both high and low blood sugar can result in serious complications. People who have diabetes tend to have a strict routine so their blood sugar does not reach dangerous levels.

According to Gilbert, he raised about $150 through his senior project towards the diabetes fundraiser. Gilbert thought his project was a success and that he achieved his goals. He brought awareness for a disease that seriously affects his life, and gave to his family.