Zachary Librizzi, a 17-year-old senior from Warwick who attends Saint Raphael Academy, is one of tens of thousands of children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. However, with the help of his father, Librizzi hosts an annual golf tournament to help raise funds for the Rhode Island branch of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Eighteen months after his younger sister, Ava, was also diagnosed with the disease, Librizzi talks about his passion to help others.
PBN: How did you first start out raising funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in Rhode Island?
LIBRIZZI: My parents always encouraged my sister, Ava, and me to give back. Giving back to the community has always been an important part of our life. Matter of fact, we have a quote in our home that I like to live by: “The best way to find yourself is lose yourself in the service of others.”
In 2002 when we participated in our first JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes we raised $5,000. Since then we raised over $75,000 for JDRF and haven never missed a walk-a-thon.
PBN: Those walks evolved and now you and your family host an annual golf tournament – what is that like?
LIBRIZZI: My dad started the JDRF Tee Up to the Cure Classic in 2001 because of a question I asked him when I was 2. I said, “Daddy will you take my diabetes away?” He promised he would and that was the foundation of the annual golf tournament.
The tournament has sold out for the past 10 years. There are tons of raffles, auctions and many other chances to win great prizes. We usually have 12 foursomes in the morning session and 36 foursomes in the one o’clock session. At night we hold both silent and live auctions as well as a dinner, which is attended by more than 200 people. This year the tournament will be held at Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown on July 18. Interested players can sign up through the JDRF website.
PBN: Why do you enjoy raising money for diabetes awareness?
LIBRIZZI: I enjoy raising money because diabetes is a personal experience I live with daily. I didn’t grow up having people help me find ways to deal with it. As much as my mom and dad tried to help it wasn’t the same coming from nondiabetics. I want to help make a difference in young children’s lives who struggle with this disease. I want other diabetic kids to have a better experience growing up than I did. I want them all to know that no matter what they want in life this disease does not define who you are. Set a goal and achieve that goal; don’t think for a second that diabetes will get in your way.
PBN: What was your reaction when you learned you had raised $1 million for diabetes awareness and the Rhode Island JDRF?
LIBRIZZI: I was ecstatic. Year after year my dad is always concerned about reaching fundraising goals for the golf tournament, however, he never mentioned anything to my mom, my sister or me. He wanted it to be a surprise. When we found out we had helped raise over $1 million I was thrilled. I helped achieve that goal just by sharing my personal story with everyone at the golf tournament and it has been a true honor to speak at the event every year.
Raising $1 million for diabetes research means we are that much closer to finding a cure for me, my friends with Type 1, and my sister, Ava.
PBN: What has been the best moment for you in all your time raising money for diabetes awareness?
LIBRIZZI: The best memory I have that involves diabetes was when my little sister was diagnosed 18 months ago. She grew up watching me live with this disease every day and now I am able to educate her and guide her through this tough diagnosis. I am not going to let this disease define Ava.
