Congratulations UA 190 / PMC
Softball Team

Congratulations to the UA 190 / PMC Softball Team for taking first place in the recent All Trades Softball Tournament to raise money for "Blue Print for Cure" for the benefit of finding a cure for diabetes.

Back row, left to right, Charles Peltier, Jason Haft, Brian Rogers, Larry Hummel, Ed Reed, Jason Boatright, Travis Yax, Bryce Mitchell.
Front Row, left to right, Rick Westcott, William Swarthout, Andrew Shuey, Jacki D (dog), Matt Chisolm, Todd Tennison, Mike Hyde

On May 18 and May 19, twenty ball teams comprised of Michigan State Building and Construction Trades affiliates took off their hard hats and work boots -- put on their baseball caps and cleats and used their time and talents at the All Trades Softball Tournament to raise money for "Blue Print for Cure". Since the Tournament began in 1990 it has raised over $265,452.00. At the tournament our team took the first place trophy - great work, not just for the win, but more important - giving up your Saturday for such an important concern!!

More important, this year through their efforts and the generous contributions of many others, the tournament raised over $39,000.00 for this worthy cause. These funds will be added to the monies raised in 289 other communities in the United States and Canada. In 2001 that figure totaled over $ 1 million dollars. Diabetes is one of the five major causes of death in the United States. Over twelve million Americans, including three million children, suffer from it. Diabetes can lead to blindness, heart failure, kidney disease and stroke. In fact, you probably know someone in your very own family or a close friend who suffers from this disease.

Thanks to their efforts of the past thirteen years, the dream of one day finding a cure for diabetes is getting closer. Since 1994, the Diabetes Research Institute has risen to the position of being the number one research facility in the world. It is responsible for ground-breaking research that may do away with insulin injections completely.

The Institute includes a special treatment center that handles the particular needs of patients and their families. Patients have the opportunity to take part in clinical research studies which help them manage their own diabetes and also provide important research data that can help people around the world who have diabetes. Most importantly, the child care center gives children the chance to develop without the social stigmatism associated with diabetes.

We realize that none of this would be possible without the support we have received from the general public as well as building trades workers in Michigan.