MUSCATINE, Iowa — Kathy Kephart and Kim Sojka have personal reasons for supporting  local fundraising efforts for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Sojka’s father, Marlo Specht, of Elizabeth, Ill., was diagnosed with Type I diabetes when he was 20. He was in his early 70s when he died seven years ago.

Kephart’s father, Jerry Carlisle, of Atalissa, died in 1973, at age 34.

Both women said the courage and determination they witnessed in their fathers inspires them to help find a cure for diabetes and provide education and awareness about the disease.

Sojka, of Muscatine,  and Kephart of Wilton, are both volunteering with the fourth annual Holiday Home Tour — Hope for a Cure, a local fundraising event with proceeds going to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Sojka is opening her home to the community for the tour and the company Kephart works for, Entertaining at Home, donates proceeds from featured holiday products to the National Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

Kephart, 47, is also a vendor provider and sponsor of the tour and is giving a local contribution that goes to fund area Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation projects.

Sojka, the director of strategic planning and marketing for Mercy Medical Center in North Iowa, said her father had a strong passion to encourage people.

Sojka said Type I diabetes is a slow, progressive disease, but regular exercise and monitoring diet and  blood sugar may help stave off some of the more severe complications of the disease.

Sojka said her mother, Jane Specht, who died four years ago, was a committed partner in helping her husband manage his diabetes.

“My father lived a great life,” said Sojka.

Sojka grew up understanding the importance of a healthy diet and getting exercise.

Paying attention to his health and the support of his family helped Marlo Specht lead a fulfilling life, said Sojka. But eventually, the complications of diabetes became more difficult to overcome.

Marlo  began losing his vision as he neared the end of his life and it took longer for injuries and infections to heal, known  complications of Type I diabetes.

Kephart’s father also received good care and support from his family.

Kephart said her grandmother, Dorthy Carlisle, was committed to providing  Jerry Carlisle with every opportunity to live his life to the fullest.

“My dad was diagnosed at age 2 and doctors didn’t expect him to live to age 16,” said Kephart. “I really believe my grandma’s great care kept him alive.”

Jerry Carlisle and his wife, Sylvia, were able to provide a happy home for their children, said Kephart.

Kephart was 11 when her father died. Like Sojka, she said seeing her father give himself insulin and nick his skin for blood samples was part of her life.

“It’s a hard disease to watch through the eyes of a child,” she said. “But diabetes didn’t hold my dad back, he lived life to the fullest.”

Jerry Carlisle died of kidney failure, which Kephart said is a typical complication of Type I diabetes.

Kephart’s mother, Sylvia Seymour, lives in Davenport.

One of Kephart’s sisters, Nancy Carlisle of Durant, was diagnosed with Type I diabetes in adulthood.

Nancy, who works at the Mercy Hospital Diabetes Education  Center, participates in a 20-year clinical trial on Type I diabetes.

Kephart said Nancy was one of the first to receive an insulin pump, which is implanted on the body and works automatically.

“Monitoring has come a long way,” said Kephart. “And  I firmly believe in my lifetime, there will be a cure because of the Juvenile diabetes Research Foundation’s commitment.”

Details

What: The fourth annual Holiday Home Tour – Hope for a Cure.

When: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

Tickets: $10, available at the following locations in Muscatine:

* Carriage House Carpet One 121 E. Second St.

* Pro Hair Designs Salon & Spa, 214 Chestnut.

* The Hall Tree Boutique, 200 W. Second St.

* Wine Nutz, 208 W. Second St.

* Elly’s Tea and Coffee House, 208 W. Second St.

* Miller’s Florist, 612 Hope Ave.

Checks may be made out to JDRF or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Tickets are also available the day of the tour at any of the homes on the tour.

Details: All ticket holders are eligible for one of the fabulous door prizes. Stop at Pearl Plaza, 208 W. Second St., during the tour to see the door prizes and enter for the drawing.

Muscatine homes on the tour include:

* Dr. Matt and Kim Sojka, 2696 Becky Thatcher Road.

* Herm and Luann Ferreira, 3318 Tipton Road.

* Paul and Robin Graettinger, 2012 Mulberry Ave.

* Tom and Vickie Anderson, 2010 Mulberry Ave.

* Laura Musser Mansion, 1314 Mulberry Ave.

* Dan and Linda Steele, 1420 Mulberry Ave.

* Jerry W. Lange 1001 Mulberry Ave.

For more information contact Daphne at djdonald11@machlink.com or

563-263-1094.

To learn more about products available through the Entertaining at Home company, contact Kathy Kephart at www.KathyKephart.eahweb.com or phone

563-357-6690