Shannon McDonough, a Shareholder and Board Member at Fafinski Mark & Johnson (FMJ), is known in the legal industry for passionately defending her clients. Her firm’s slogan “Power of the Big, Spirit of the Small” is something she tries to embody during her courtroom appearances, settlement conferences, and client meetings. And fortunately this passion does not simply fall away as the courtroom or office door closes, but instead flows into her personal life, especially when it comes to her family.

Six years ago Shannon’s niece, Daisy, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) at the age of eight. Shannon quickly began to witness Daisy and her family cope with the complicating challenges of this condition.  Shortly thereafter, they were introduced to Breakthrough T1D and the mission to cure, prevent, and treat T1D and its complications.

Shannon jumped on the opportunity to support Breakthrough T1D and Daisy by sponsoring the Breakthrough T1D One Walk in Minneapolis and organizing an FMJ team to join the thousands walking at Mall of America. The FMJ team has walked over the past several years. Last year, the FMJ team had over 30 walkers (including Daisy and her Mom who flew all the way from Missouri) clothed in blue pullovers with the Breakthrough T1D logo, the FMJ logo, and of course, a daisy. The event itself raised over $1.55 million and the FMJers were in awe and excitement to be connected with something so special and worthwhile.

Daisy (now 13) is doing remarkably well. However, her aunt Shannon knows that while T1D is manageable, it is not easy to manage – especially for a new teenager who likely wants to focus on high school, friends, and activities, instead of monitoring her insulin, food and carb intake at every meal, and glucose level testing 5-10 times a day.

The resources from Breakthrough T1D for those with T1D and their families are immense and the support from the organization lets them know they are not fighting this battle alone. This is why Breakthrough T1D is so important to Shannon and FMJ – because it lets someone like Daisy know that she has the “Power of the Big and the Spirit of the Small” advocating for her all the way.