By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
The Jordan Morris Foundation, founded by Seattle Sounders star Jordan Morris, has partnered with Seattle Children’s Hospital and Washington-based beverage company Talking Rain to create support kits for young patients newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. The initiative reflects the foundation’s mission to educate, inspire, and support children living with the condition, showing them that Type 1 diabetes doesn’t have to limit their aspirations.
“I’m blessed to be given this platform. I would like to reach as many young people with diabetes as possible, in order to show them that T1D doesn’t have to keep them from achieving their dreams,” said Morris, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just nine years old.
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition most often diagnosed in children and young adults, affecting approximately two million Americans, according to the American Diabetes Association. At Seattle Children’s, the Endocrinology and Diabetes Program provides critical care and guidance for young patients managing the condition, which requires daily insulin to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
“We are deeply grateful for the generous and inspiring community support for the pediatric patients and their families receiving care in our Endocrinology and Diabetes Program clinic,” a representative from Seattle Children’s said.
When a child is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, the transition can be overwhelming for both the patient and their family. To support them during this difficult time, the JMO Foundation and Talking Rain created “Play Maker” kits designed to bolster mental wellness. Each kit contains items like soccer balls, water bottles, sensory keychains, first aid supplies, and handwritten notes of encouragement.
Vanessa Wilson, Senior HR Compliance and Performance Manager at Talking Rain, described the emotional experience of contributing to the initiative and learning about the profound challenges faced by children with Type 1 diabetes.
“I’ve worked for Talking Rain for a long time, and they’ve always been great at giving back,” Wilson said. “This was a really unique opportunity. It was also a very emotional one because we got to hear about our partnership with Jordan Morris’s Foundation and the impact that Type 1 diabetes can have on mental health.”
At a recent event, team members from the JMO Foundation and Talking Rain assembled 1,000 Play Maker kits. The kits were carefully curated to bring comfort and hope to young patients, offering both practical items and a personal touch.
“We included a soccer ball and a clear cinch bag,” Wilson explained. “We chose a clear bag so children could bring them to a Sounders soccer game easily. We also added hand sanitizer, a sensory keychain, and a handwritten Play Maker card from each person who made the kit.”
In addition to assembling the kits, Talking Rain contributed a $10,000 donation to the JMO Fund at Seattle Children’s. This fund provides social, emotional, and mental health resources for families adjusting to a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis.
Morris, whose foundation emphasizes the power of community, has dedicated his platform to improving the lives of children living with Type 1 diabetes. Through this partnership, he hopes to show kids that a chronic illness doesn’t have to define them.
“Together, we’re showing kids that they can thrive and achieve great things, no matter the challenges they face,” Morris said.
Wilson also reflected on the significance of being part of the project. “It was amazing that they allowed us to be a part of it during our all-company meeting,” she said. “My favorite part was making the bags and being able to include a personal note. It was a great way to wrap up the day and really focus.”