Idol fans raise funds for diabetes

TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - Last week on American Idol the girls performances were delayed a day because Crystal Bowersox was hospitalized.

FOX Toledo has since learned it was due to a complication with diabetes.

Tuesday evening, the owners of Papa's Tavern in Toledo's east end used the American Idol contestant's popularity to raise money and awareness for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

A $300 check from proceeds from t-shirts sold at the bar in recent weeks, was given to JDRF.

"But that's only the beginning," said Tim Stahl, the tavern's owner. "We'll be selling shirts and keep it going every week all the way through as long as American Idol is on. Each week we're going to make a donation."

"This is wonderful," said Dawn Christen, JDRF board member. "The JDRF does such great things and donates a lot of money for research for finding a cure. This is fabulous."

Stahl said it's his way of supporting Bowersox, who he has know since she started singing at the tavern when she was 12, about the same age as Carly Smith. Like Crystal, Carley suffers diabetes.

"It's kind of complicated," Carley said of the disease.

The 12-year-old is a big fan of American Idol and said the show has given her hope that she can be more than her disease.

"It made me realize even with diabetes you can do anything," Carely said. "I guess I'm just really happy she's doing better and doing so good."

Bowersox is competing against other Idol contestants Katie Stevens, Lilly Scott, Paige Miles, Didi Benami, Siobhan Magnus, Katelyn Epperly and Lacey Brown Tuesday evening.

"I think people don't realize what diabetics live with on a daily basis and what they have to go through and monitoring and how much stress can affect their daily lives," Christen said.

That's what Papa's Tavern is hoping to change one t-shirt at a time.

"If they can see what Crystal went through last week and perform like she did on that stage with what she went through last week, that just sets a precedent for anybody who has that situation that not matter what you can still do what your dreams are," Stahl said.