At 18, an ambitious and enthusiastic Mary Lucas is on the brink of her “next big thing”: planning her move from Atherton, CA to New York City to study fashion design at Parsons, her dream since she was in grade school and making dresses out of fabric remnants. Being on the brink of the “next big thing” is a common theme for the entire Lucas family, and their vigorous approach to life is reflected in how Mary has managed her type 1 diabetes.
“I try not to let diabetes affect what I want to do,” Mary says. “I’m not inhibited by it.” In fact, the Lucases have created ways to remain proactive, productive, and positive in the face of the disease’s challenges. Parents Sarah and Don Lucas are the founders of Spring Fling – an annual fundraising event for JDRF Bay Area that includes a golf tournament, a ladies luncheon and boutique, and a themed evening bash.
Sarah now sits on the chapter’s Board, serving as Vice President of Special Events. Don, a venture capitalist who served on JDRF’s Silicon Valley Branch Board for six years, is a founding investor and Board member of Dexcom, one of the companies that provides continuous glucose monitors for research being funded by JDRF’s Artificial Pancreas Project.
Their involvement with type 1 diabetes began in November 1998, when the family was on the brink of another “next big thing.” With three children in tow, the Lucases were staying with friends for a couple of days while moving into a new home. When Mary, then seven, became very ill, they rushed her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with type 1, a disease the family knew little about at the time.
The Lucases were determined to keep life as normal and active as possible. As soon as they were settled into their new home, Sarah – already an avid charitable event planner – rented out a bowling alley, set out a donation box, and invited their friends to come out and play to support type 1 diabetes research. While researching organizations to send the proceeds to, she discovered JDRF.
The next year, when their bowling event brought in $40,000 for JDRF, the Lucases got a call from the JDRF Bay Area’s executive director, who called their grassroots efforts impressive and asked if they would be interested in creating an annual chapter event. Sarah and Don agreed, and came up with the idea for Spring Fling. It began with inviting friends and colleagues to participate, and has grown into a multi-event community tradition that has raised nearly $5 million for JDRF.
Throughout its years of growth, Spring Fling has remained family-and-friendsoriented, much like the Lucases themselves, which makes them proud. Each year, the entire Lucas family is involved in planning and running Spring Fling, including Mary and her siblings, Jack (16), Kate (12), and Henry (10). Explains Sarah, “It’s marked on the family calendar each year much like a holiday…it’s part of the fabric of our lives. From now until there’s a cure, I see our family continuing this event.”
Sarah hopes her family’s story underscores the message that everyone can make a difference. “The point is to do something,” Sarah urges. “That’s what we try to model for our kids. That’s our message. But also have fun while you’re doing it.”
And it’s just this mantra, “do something,” that keeps the family positive and productive. It’s why Mary’s type 1 diabetes is an important detail in her life, but not its definition. Her life is hers to design, with all of her “next big things.”
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