"A Guardian for Blake" benefits boy in need of diabetic alert dog

A Texoma family is asking for your help in hopes of spreading the word about their son who was just diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.

The family is trying to raise enough money for a diabetic alert dog who would accompany 6-year-old Blake Fields everywhere and sleep with him at night making sure he is ok.

Blake is like any other boy his age except for the fact that his body can no longer produce insulin.

He loves to play outside, run around and hang out with his mom and dad.

The dog would also alert the Fields family, his teachers or whoever is around if his blood sugar gets too high or too low before he starts feeling sick.

There is one problem: the dog costs $18,000.

Shelby and Jessica Fields, Blake's father and mother, say Blake knows and understand it is important to take care of his body.

Jessica says Blake now has to take insulin everyday to stay healthy.

She says her and her husband Shelby will often take turns getting up in the middle of the night to make sure he is ok because she says many children suffering from Type 1 Diabetes die in their sleep because they can't feel their blood sugar drop.

That is why the fields family is raising money for a diabetic alert dog; one who would keep an extra vigilant eye on Blake.

"It's sort of a safety net for us especially when we're not around, somebody else to look out for him," Jessica says. "It actually senses a chemical change in his body before his blood sugar drops so it's better then just testing all the time which we do."

A preventive measure with a high price tag but his parent's say it is well worth it.

"It is definitely at the top of my list right now," Jessica says. "We really think that this is something that needs to come first to keep him safe and it's worth every penny."

The Fields family has already put at $3,600 deposit on a dog through the National Institute for Diabetic Alert Dogs.

If you would like to help, the "A Guardian for Blake" benefit will take place on Friday, Feb. 8 from 6 - 11 p.m. at the Elk's Lodge located at 4205 Seymour Highway.

The benefit will include a mexican dinner, dance, bake sake and live auction.

It is $10 per plate and kids six and under are free.

Donations can also be made to "A Guardian for Blake" at any Wells Fargo bank or you can call (940)691- 4820 for more information.

You can also check out the "A Guardian for Blake" Facebook page.