SOUTH POINT — It looks like a simple scrapbook, the flowery, fun kind a mother would make about her family.

But looks can be deceiving and that’s definitely the case here because this scrapbook is more than a collection of memories.

This scrapbook is the chronicle of a brave young girl who has spent her short lifetime in a chronic battle, a battle whose victory when it comes will save countless others.

The young girl is Cassidy Franklin and the enemy is diabetes.

Her struggles, her accomplishments, simply her life, are down in photos and captions in this scrapbook and next month on June 24 she will share it with members of Congress in Washington, D.C., as she testifies about living with diabetes.

“We made a scrapbook for each senator and congressman. She is going to read her scrapbook with them,” Cassidy’s mother Niccole explained. “It goes through her life, with the diagnosis and how we didn’t have diabetes in the family. There is a picture of her then in the hospital. We talk about the things she likes to do, like roller coasters, just the things she likes to do and how diabetes hinders that.”

Cassidy, now 6, was 18 months old when she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes. Because of the work Cassidy and her family have done to raise funds and awareness, she will be part of this biennial JDRF event, led by its international chairperson, actress Mary Tyler Moore, who has had Type 1 diabetes for almost 40 years.

But the Franklin family isn’t just waiting idly before Cassidy’s Congressional appearance. They will participate this Sunday in the annual Walk to Cure Diabetes in Charleston, W.Va., where they have raised so far $1,000 that will go to research for a cure.

A major fundraiser the Franklins conduct locally for juvenile diabetes research is the annual Eat 4 a Cure, a pancake breakfast at Max & Erma’s restaurant in Huntington, W.Va., whose proceeds go to JDRF. The choice of fund-raiser is deliberate, Niccole says.

“We want people to see she is a normal kid and she can eat pancakes,” she said.

But there some events that children look forward to that for Cassidy can be hindered by diabetes.

“Last Christmas she had a seizure and she didn’t remember opening her presents,” Niccole said. “Diabetes doesn’t stop even for the holidays.”

Those wishing to contribute to the upcoming walk, may do so by going to JDRF.org and signing on under a selected walker.