Rylee’s Pocket: West Seattleites create a shirt for diabetic kids – and need your help to donate dozens

Sarah Syvertsen of Arbor Heights e-mailed WSB to share the news about her brand-new business, Rylee’s Pocket. She and her aunt are “making tank tops for kids and adults with type 1 diabetes that have a special pocket to hold their insulin pumps. … We just … in the past week have started a partnership with the American Diabetes Association.”

Rylee, the shirt’s namesake, is Sarah’s 8-year-old cousin. She was diagnosed in March of 2011. Since then, Rylee’s mom writes:

Almost a year later to the date, Rylee started using the pump, which has been a suprisingly smooth transition for all of us. With all the things going on with her body, the most important thing to me was that she felt comfortable and confident. She has become so courageous and we can’t help but notice the amount of overwhelming support from family, friends, and most especially her two older sisters.

Obviously with having two older sisters, fashion has become a big deal to Rylee. At this crucial time in her life finding a way for her to fit in not only at school but also with her sisters was a semi big priority. We mulled over some ideas together and have come to find out that a tight fitting cami tank top with a button hole and a pocket with a zipper is the best idea. The zipper is the key piece missing with most “insulin pump wear” because it gives the option to still be active and not worry about the pump ever falling out when bending over (or jumping, skipping, cartwheeling, playing soccer, etc.). And making sure that the tank top was as fashion forward as possible was a bonus.

Seeing the confidence and pride that she has developed since starting on the pump and getting to wear these tank tops, we immediately realized that this was something worth sharing. Rylee is absolutely obsessed with her tank tops; her sisters even wear them to school on their own sometimes, and because of this we solidified our thought to share and have come to a place where we are now able to.

So that’s why they are trying to raise $1,000 to give a Rylee’s Pocket tank top to every one of the 60 kids with Type 1 diabetes who will be attending an ADA camp at Camp Sealth. Sarah says they have to raise the money by July 26th, and didn’t find out that deadline till last night; they may have a fundraising event in the meantime but the efforts are focused right now on getting donations via ChipIn – you can donate by going here. And if you want to buy a Rylee’s Pocket shirt for someone you know – check the links on their website.

14 Replies to "Rylee's Pocket: West Seattleites create a shirt for diabetic kids - and need your help to donate dozens"

  • Weattleite July 18, 2012 (4:46 pm)

    This is a beautiful idea! Have you thought of using Kickstarter to collect funds? You might get a wider audience of excited donors :)

  • mike July 18, 2012 (5:58 pm)

    Awesome idea, I agree with the kickstarter suggestion too.

  • Ajax July 18, 2012 (6:33 pm)

    What a great idea! That’s a cute shirt even if you don’t have an insulin pump.

  • West Seattle Since 1979 July 18, 2012 (6:53 pm)

    Great idea! And Kickstarter would be an excellent way to go!

  • seewhatsealionsstart July 18, 2012 (8:29 pm)

    Creative minds make for a good world! so Cool!

  • J July 18, 2012 (8:42 pm)

    So great! My daughter was diagnosed at 2 and is now 7. We will become customers ASAP!

  • Leona Garrison July 18, 2012 (8:57 pm)

    Converted some regular undershorts with a pocket for a friend’s son who has Type 1 diabetes. He was so happy to be able to wear “regular” underwear. Guess someone should go into the business for boys.

  • Fan of Rylees Pocket July 18, 2012 (9:18 pm)

    These shirts are also available in styles for boys. Check out the Rylees pocket website!

  • Mary McNeight July 18, 2012 (9:21 pm)

    The Service Dog Academy (a provider of diabetic alert dogs and diabetic alert dog training) has donated $250 to this wonderful idea to help diabetic children feel more comfortable wearing their pump. Go Rylee!

  • Rylees mom July 18, 2012 (9:48 pm)

    We have them for boys! Check them out the website.
    Also, we will be on channel 6 tonight at 10:30pm or channel 5 at 11:00pm :)

  • Julie July 18, 2012 (11:01 pm)

    You betcha! Super idea! I’m tired of putting my pump in my bra!!

  • evergreen July 18, 2012 (11:02 pm)

    LOVE this. Thank you for making the world a more beautiful place.

  • Sarah Syvertsen July 19, 2012 (10:51 am)

    I just want to say thank you WSB for this incredible article and the support they have shown. I can’t even formulate words for how appreciative I am! The support that has come from this article alone is so overwhelming. We want to give a shout out to The Service Dog Academy here in WS for reaching out to us, contributing to our cause and forming a relationship with us- we’re so excited to have someone in the neighborhood! Thank you so much for your donation. Also, the exposure that has come from Elisa Hahn and King 5 from coming over to do a story last night is incredible! We can’t thank WSB enough- for helping us grow our business and cause, and getting us in touch with our neighbors. Thank you thank you thank you! We will keep you in the loop with fundraising opportunities that come up in the next week!

  • Nikolay Nikitenko July 19, 2012 (4:55 pm)

    Larry Benaroya (his father funded Benaroya Hall) has a diabetes fund that raises money for curing the condition and supporting those living with it. If you try and get in contact with their organization they may be willing to help out with this product.

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