Dylan Konakowitz Memorial Foundation
Founded in 2017, the Dylan Konakowitz Memorial Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization
03/11/2022
24/08/2022
Planning on attending tonight but have not responded? Please text 860-287-3147 or message here- space is available.
Attention local T1D's and caregivers- join DKMF Wednesday 8/24 for a Meet & Greet of local T1D's either new to the area, newly diagnosed or just looking to make connections that "get it". We will discuss local resources, the importance of having a support system as well as why a 504 Plan/IEP/Accommodations are crucial to all T1D's care. All ages and time since diagnosis welcome! RSVP by 8/22 to be guaranteed a spot.
18/08/2022
Attention local T1D's and caregivers- join DKMF Wednesday 8/24 for a Meet & Greet of local T1D's either new to the area, newly diagnosed or just looking to make connections that "get it". We will discuss local resources, the importance of having a support system as well as why a 504 Plan/IEP/Accommodations are crucial to all T1D's care. All ages and time since diagnosis welcome! RSVP by 8/22 to be guaranteed a spot.
01/08/2022
Many parents are getting ready to send their kids off to college. And, for any T1D parent, that is something you have panicked about, tried to prepare for and quite possibly dreaded- I know I did. With that being said, this also means we need to have yet another difficult conversation with our T1D. During this conversation you will likely hear that they already know about drinking with T1D, that they are prepared and maybe even that they will not drink at all. All of which is undoubtedly stated with the best of intentions.
But let's be realistic. Whether your son or daughter drinks now, whether they think they know how to handle drinking with T1D or whether they plan to abstain, we need to get the dangers of drinking with T1D across to them and their close friends, significant other, roommates, and maybe even the resident assistant of their dorm.
I had containers labeled neatly, I had plenty of snacks, I had the Glucagon, I had instructions for how to treat him if he was not able to treat himself, and I had my phone number plastered on it all. In the moments of a crisis, all of this can be pointless. The most important thing you can do for your T1D as they head off to college is to arm them with the tools they need to take care of themselves. Maybe it is setting a one drink rule for themselves, or it could be setting their basal rates on a temporary lowered setting to prevent a blood sugar crash later, but a standard MUST DO is to always eat while drinking…… NO MATTER WHAT!
Of course, we ask that they always have a way to check their blood sugar readily available. Quite often they rely on a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) and we may even have the capability to get notifications from the same. But how does that help when your son or daughter is two hours away and their blood sugar is 72 with double down arrows? If your T1D isn’t checking their blood sugar, they are likely not carrying a glucagon treatment for low blood sugar either (the effects of which are virtually diminished with alcohol in the system). This is why the eating rule must be instilled in their hormonal, moody, know it all minds!
Some other suggestions include:
☀Pick a “go to” drink with familiar ingredients and its affect
☀Discuss peer pressure and how to be prepared when others are encouraging drinking
☀If possible, hang out with another T1D (check to see if there is a local College Diabetes Network chapter), people with similar interests and healthy habits
☀Always carry easy to eat snacks like peanut butter crackers, fruit snacks, or even candy
☀Alternate alcoholic drinks with water
There is no easy solution, and I wish I had a magic wand to show our T1Ds how to make safe and healthy choices. Or even better, to cure T1D. Sadly, that is not the case. Therefore, we must arm our evolving young adult T1Ds with as many tools as possible. Please share this infographic.
29/06/2022
Know the warning signs of type 1 diabetes, it could just save a life!
23/06/2022
"ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE; TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH." ~HELEN KELLER
We are humbled by the continued outpouring of support from our sponsors, donors, volunteers, vendors, committee, family, friends and participants. It is because of the DKMF community that we are able to provide scholarships and raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes as we carry on Dylan's legacy.
Visit www.dk-mf.org to learn more.
23/06/2022
Congratulations to Isabella Gesino for being this year's second recipient of a scholarship. Isabella is an East Lyme High School graduate and will be attending the University of Delaware in the fall.
23/06/2022
Congratulations to Abigail Maynard for being chosen as one of this year's scholarship recipients. Abby is a Waterford High School graduate and will be attending the University of South Carolina in the fall.
22/05/2022
Today is the day! Check-in and same day registration starts at 8am. Don’t let the fog scare you, it’s going to clear up! Kick off is promptly at 9am ☀️
Don’t forget to share your virtual 5k photos!
20/05/2022
Tomorrow the 5th Annual Dylan Konakowitz Memorial Foundation 5K is happening. Have you signed up yet? If not, go to www.dk-mf.org to sign up now!
19/05/2022
You won’t believe how great this year’s baskets are! Even if you cannot do the 5K, you can still stop down to Ocean Beach in New London CT this Saturday 5/21 starting at 8am for the basket prizes! Just to name a few:
☀️ Lottery tickets and gift cards
☀️ Gardening
☀️ Wine and charcuterie
☀️ (2) Rounds of Golf for 4
☀️ Motorcyle jacket, helmet and $200 gift cards
☀️ Bikini Martini
☀️ Self-care
☀️ $100 Amazon gift card
☀️ Waffles All Day
☀️ Car Wash
☀️ Dog
☀️ Everything Margarita
☀️ All about home
☀️ Cat
☀️ Day trip (cooler, treats and round trip ferry tickets)
☀️ Texas Roadhouse
☀️ Arbonne
☀️ Family Night
☀️ Outdoor fun
☀️ Greek treats
☀️ By the sea
☀️ For him
☀️ Treat yourself (wine and chocolate)
☀️ (4) Ivory Ella
TELL THEM AT THE GATE YOU ARE ATTENDING THE EVENT!
19/05/2022
Sign up now at www.dk-mf.org
19/05/2022
Breaking news...... it's going to be a perfect day for a 5K! Join us at The 5th Annual Dylan Konakowitz Memorial Foundation 5K at Ocean Beach in New London. Check in, bib pickup and basket drawing ticket sales start at 8am, kick off for the 5K is at 9am.
19/05/2022
That's right, it is almost time! The 5th Annual DK5K is this Saturday at Ocean Beach in New London. Check in, bib pickup and basket drawing ticket sales starts at 8am. Visit www.dk-mf.org to learn more or to register.
Attention High School Students- get 4 hours of community service hours! We are seeking two sets of two volunteers to work as a team at our 5K this Saturday 5/21 at Ocean Beach in New London. Text 860-287-3147 to be signed up.
17/05/2022
Curious about the route for the DK5K? It’s a scenic trip along the water and through the beautiful beach district of New London!
16/05/2022
Visit www.dk-mf.org to sign up today!
Sign up for this year’s DK5K today to be guaranteed a shirt!
11/05/2022
10 more days...... sign up at www.dk-mf.org!
10/05/2022
11 days left to sign up to support The Dylan Konakowitz Memorial Foundation in its efforts to carry on the legacy of Dylan Konakowitz! #11 Visit www.dk-mf.org to learn more and to register!
09/05/2022
Still haven't signed up for this year's DK5K? You only have 12 days left...... hurry over to www.dk-mf.org
09/05/2022
Got Sneakers? Recycle your used sneakers at the DK5K on 5/21 at 9am at Ocean Beach in New London! www.dk-mf.org
08/05/2022
Hard to believe we are only 13 days away from the 5th Annual DK5K! Sign up now to be guaranteed a shirt! www.dk-mf.org
08/05/2022
Happy Mother's Day from The Dylan Konakowitz Memorial Foundation!
07/05/2022
You only have two weeks to sign up for this year's 5K! Visit www.dk-mf.org to learn more!
07/05/2022
Will you run for Type 1? Support DKMF and sign up for this year's 5K! What do we do? We raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes and provide scholarships to the community! Find out more at www.dk-mf.org
06/05/2022
Get your 5K on! Sign up for this year's event at Ocean Beach on 5/21, visit www.dk-mf.org today!
05/05/2022
Don't forget to sign up for the DK5K! Visit www.dk-mf.org today
05/05/2022
Get your pinata on and sign up for this year's 5K! Sure to be another successful event- see you 5/21 at Ocean Beach in New London. We have a virtual option too!
05/05/2022
This is hopeful……
The first patient dosed with VX-880—a stem cell-derived potential therapy to treat type 1 diabetes—has achieved groundbreaking insulin independence at day 270.
This means the patient is producing enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Read more via Beyond Type 1: https://beyondtype1.org/diabetes-stem-cell-trial-vertex-270/
04/05/2022
Have you registered yet for the 5th Annual DK5K? What are you waiting for?
04/05/2022
Get your tickets! Make sure you stop by Ocean Beach on 5/21 @ 9am to have a chance at some of our awesome baskets! So many great items and the list keeps growing! Interested in donating- reach out! Remember, the SUN NEVER SETS ON T1D! We gotchu Dylan ☀
03/05/2022
Visit www.dk-mf.org to register now!
03/05/2022
We are getting close to this year's event. SIgn up now for the 5th Annual DK5K on 5/21 at Ocean Beach in New London. Can't join us, you can participate from anywhere- just choose the virtual option. Make sure you send us photos for a chance to be entered for a $50 Amazon Gift Card!
03/05/2022
Curious about the route of the upcoming 5k? Here you go- check out this scenic route along the Thames River in New London CT 🏖🏃🏽♀️🏃🏻♂️ Visit www.dk-mf.org to learn more and to register
02/05/2022
19 DAYS UNTIL THE 5TH ANNUAL DK5K! SIGN UP NOW AT WWW.DK-MF.ORG
02/05/2022
That's right- one of the best basket drawings around! Join us on 5/21 at Ocean Beach for the 5th Annual DK5K Walk/Run and take a chance to win one of our awesome baskets! We are still gathering items and assembling the baskets, big shout out to Pamela Konakowitz, the "Basket Queen" but here are a few to look forward to (not pictured- those were from the 2nd Annual DK5K):
Waffles All Day!
Car Wash
Gift Card/Lottery Collage
Dog Basket
Cat Basket
Bikini Martini Set
Let's Wine
Arbonne
For Dad
Family Night
Coffee and Tea
In the Garden
Ivory Ella.....and many, many more!
Interested in Donating a basket or item? Comment below and we will make arrangements! Thank you to this awesome community for the continued support!
This is why....
Dylan Konakowitz had a smile that could light up a room. He loved genuinely and was loved by all who knew him. To those lucky enough to have had time with him, it is well known that he loved to help others. Whether he was saying “I got you” or “money ain’t an issue”, you believed him and he likely never let you down.
At the age of 6, Dylan was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. At the time, we knew nothing about this chronic auto-immune disease. As a sensitive young boy, he was worried that he would be different; and, he was right. Dylan was different in the sense that he was undeniably happy and outgoing despite having many obstacles in his young life.
As Dylan grew older, his personality only grew bigger. He had a great sense of humor and laughed at no one more than himself. He was an avid fan of all sports and was a capable athlete. Whether he was playing baseball or basketball, he gave it his all and he never, ever held back. It was not always easy for him to persevere, but he did, if for no other reason than he did not want to let others down. He enjoyed being a team player in sports as well as in all areas of his life.
Because Dylan was so active in the community, be it sports, attending special events, volunteering or working at Filomena’s Restaurant in Waterford, everyone knew the boy with the million-dollar smile. During his early school years at Great Neck School, then at St. Joseph’s School in New London and attending and graduating from Waterford High School, he made many friends that he kept for years to come. There was also no shortage of new friends. Following his lifelong dream of becoming a teacher, Dylan attended Three Rivers Community College where he tested the college waters, before deciding to attend Eastern Connecticut State University for the fall 2017 term.
Videos (show all)
