PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KENDELL SUTTERLIN The second annual Abby’s Friends Charity Golf Classic & Gala, held at the Daniel Island Club last month, raised over $160,000 for juvenile diabetes research.

The second annual Abby’s Friends Charity Golf Classic and Gala was held Friday, June 27 at The Daniel Island Club. This year’s event has raised over $160,000.  Plans are to donate funds to the MUSC Childrens Hospital, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Camp Adam Fisher. 

Abigail Sutterlin (Abby) is the 6-year-old daughter of John and Kendell Sutterlin, Daniel Island residents. In April of 2006 Abby was a lively 4-year-old and enjoyed life without any worries. With no family history of diabetes, the last thing Abby and her parents expected was the sudden news that Abby had Type I diabetes.

After months and many sleepless nights, her parents reached out for help. "We thought we could raise awareness and maybe a little money to donate." In 2007, the Sutterlins created a non-profit organization called Abbey’s Friends. "We knew we wanted a golf tournament and evening event, we had no idea it would be this big and this successful". Abbey’s Friends was selected as a Lexus Champions for Charity Event both in 2007 and 2008.

The event was intended to build awareness and support from family, friends and the community. "We were so happy with how many people showed their support and could not imagine the outcome." After the inaugural Golf Classic, family and friends held a silent auction with donations from local businesses. Abbey’s Friends raised $170,000 that day and that is the beginning of Abbey’s Friends story.

Type I diabetes is very different from Type II diabetes.  Type I diabetics are insulin-dependent, while Type II mostly affects the adult population and in most cases can be controlled with diet and exercise or oral medication. 

In 2007, Abbey’s Friends took the money raised and donated to the  Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Camp Adam Fisher (Camp for Diabetic children). 

The event is planned for next year on Friday, June 26, 2009 at the Daniel Island Club.

For more information, please visit www.abbysfriends.org.