Sufficient Sleep May Help Protect Men Against Diabetes: Study

Title: Sufficient Sleep May Help Protect Men Against Diabetes: Study
Category: Health News
Created: 6/29/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/30/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Health Tip: When Your Blood Glucose Rises

Title: Health Tip: When Your Blood Glucose Rises
Category: Health News
Created: 6/30/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/30/2016 12:00:00 AM

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'Hacking' a Diabetes Cure?

Title: 'Hacking' a Diabetes Cure?
Category: Health News
Created: 6/29/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/29/2016 12:00:00 AM

Source MedicineNet Diabetes General http://ift.tt/299uzzy

Access to diabetes medications and supplies are a necessity, not a luxury

Mississippi State Representative Jeffrey S. Guice’s June 27, 2016, email message to a family regarding Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage of diabetes supplies demonstrates a lack of knowledge about the daily and life-long challenges and costs of living with diabetes. We hope that this is an opportunity for Rep. Guice and many others to learn more about diabetes.

Diabetes is a complex and often misunderstood chronic health condition that affects nearly 30 million Americans, approximately one out of every 11 people, and includes approximately 200,000 children. It is also one of the nation’s leading chronic health care crises. According to the American Diabetes Association’s report, Economic Costs of Diabetes in the United States in 2012, the national health care costs of diabetes exceed $245 billion each year. The human costs are measured in the horrific complications, including blindness, amputation, heart disease, kidney failure, and death, that families like the one who wrote to Rep. Guice are seeking to avoid by having the tools they need to successfully manage diabetes.

According to the 2012 Economic Costs report, a person with diabetes can expect to have annual health care costs that are approximately 2.3 times, or an additional $7,872, more than someone who does not have diabetes. Because diabetes is a complex health condition, the challenges and costs associated with diabetes care can vary significantly from person to person. Some people are able to use less expensive prescription medications to effectively manage their diabetes, while others must use insulin and prescription medications and test their blood glucose many times a day. Being able to obtain the medications and supplies to manage diabetes is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Nicole Nichols, the mother of the child with type 1 diabetes who wrote to Rep. Guice, sought help with recent changes in obtaining diabetes supplies under Mississippi’s Medicaid/CHIP program. This situation is just one example of the difficulties individuals with diabetes and their families experience accessing the care they need to remain healthy. It was appropriate for the mother of the child with type 1 diabetes to alert elected officials to a problem with her state’s Medicaid/CHIP program and to seek help to rectify that problem. That’s advocacy, and it’s important.

The American Diabetes Association hopes Mississippi will take the steps needed to ensure vital diabetes supplies are available to those in the Medicaid and CHIP programs, and encourages open and respectful dialogue to engage, support and advocate for people with diabetes.

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Robert E. Ratner, MD, FACP, FACE
Chief Scientific & Medical Officer
American Diabetes Association

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25 Legends: Eric James

This year marks the 25^th anniversary of two American Diabetes Association^® signature fundraising events—Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes^® and Tour de Cure^®.

Every dollar raised at these events supports people living with diabetes and funds our life-changing research and programs.

The “25 Legends” blog series highlights personal stories from some of the Association’s most dedicated walkers and riders who are affected by the disease.

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My name is Eric James and I reside in Columbia, South Carolina. I have now lived with type 1 diabetes for nearly thirty years. My personal connection to diabetes, however, stems from long before I was diagnosed.

In 1973, my older brother, Bobby James, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 6 years old (I was only 3). Diabetes management was substantially different back then—he used urine strips to measure his blood glucose levels. Despite the rudimentary tools available to my brother, he seemed to handle his diabetes well and also managed to become the best big brother. 

In 1987, diabetes changed my own life forever. I was training for my 10th and final year of football and was in excellent physical condition. Despite being slim and muscular, I lost 10 pounds in the span of a week. As my appearance turned gaunt, it became clear that I needed to visit the doctor. Soon thereafter, I was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes—with a blood glucose reading of 1,200! My reaction to this news was stoic, perhaps predictably, as my big brother had already lived with the disease for 14 years. In an odd way, it gave me comfort to be more like him.

In our minds, my brother and I were invincible. And we lived that way. But though we did not want to admit it, diabetes was very much in control of our lives. We were two healthy-looking guys, but slowly and surely, our health entered a state of decline. On Dec. 25, 2002, my brother suddenly and unexpectedly passed away at the age of 36 due to complications from diabetes. This was a devastating blow to my entire family. Bobby was a central figure in our lives—and he was gone in an instant.

I knew I needed to drastically improve my own care, connect with the diabetes community and, ultimately, support others affected by the disease. When family members asked if I would consider riding in the 2003 South Carolina Tour de Cure, I jumped at the opportunity and said, “YES!”

That was when my Tour de Cure experience began. Since then, my team, “Bobby’s Bikers,” has had as many as 73 cyclists, ranked as the 12th-largest fundraising team in the nation and, to date, raised well in excess of $100,000 for the American Diabetes Association! I’m a Team Captain, a 14-year Red Rider veteran and a tenured member of the South Carolina Tour de Cure committee.

Since I began participating, my health has also taken an incredibly positive turn. Successfully managing carbs, activity and blood glucose are a part of my daily regimen thanks, in part, to Tour de Cure. I do not currently use an insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor, but I will likely embrace these tools in the coming years. Today, I can honestly say that diabetes no longer controls my life—I control it.

I continue to live, learn and share in my amazing community and will continue participating regularly in Tour de Cure, to make a difference for everyone affected by diabetes.

Together, we CAN Stop Diabetes.

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The Association is so grateful of our 25 Legends! Their tireless efforts as walkers and riders are a tremendous support and inspiration to people with diabetes.

Sign up today! Learn more about these events and find out how to get involved at diabetes.org/stepout and http://ift.tt/1qKFQGM.

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Diabetes Ups Risk of Heart Attack Death

Title: Diabetes Ups Risk of Heart Attack Death
Category: Health News
Created: 6/24/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/27/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Your Rights, One Voice: Jazmyne’s Story

One day at school in late January 2016, 7-year-old Jazmyne Codes, of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, received her insulin dose an hour late. The assistant principal informed her mother, CaTasha, of the incident. When CaTasha asked why that happened, she was told that the regular school nurse wasn’t available. She also learned that nobody else, including the two substitute school nurses, had been trained as backup to provide Jazmyne’s diabetes care.

Jazmyne, who is in first grade and has type 1 diabetes, was okay. But CaTasha was concerned about the rest of the school year.

Jazmyne’s medical challenges had caused her to miss a lot of school over the past couple of years. She has allergies and a weakened immune system from another condition, so any cold or other airborne illness can hurt her. CaTasha didn’t want Jazmyne’s diabetes to cause her any extra problems, such as possibly being penalized for missing too many school days—or even being held back a year because of absences. After all, she was a straight-A student.

To help prevent that from happening, CaTasha tried to get Jazmyne approved for the school district’s homebound medical program. That program allows students to receive instruction at home on days when they can’t attend school for medical reasons. But, Jazmyne was not approved for the program.

CaTasha realized that Jazmyne needed special consideration and accommodations from the school.

She needed to stay medically safe, avoid a repeat of the January insulin issue and continue doing well academically—then advance to the second grade on time. Although CaTasha knew a bit about what the school could offer students with medical needs and about the plan that was already in place for Jazmyne, she didn’t know the details. She also didn’t know if the existing plan fully protected Jazmyne. But she did know that she wanted the best for her daughter.

CaTasha contacted the American Diabetes Association® for help.

One of the Association’s Legal Advocates gave her information about their rights and guidance on how to move forward. It included the suggestion to schedule a 504 Plan meeting to discuss improvements to Jazmyne’s plan. A thorough 504 Plan would help Jazmyne by listing the details for her diabetes care at school, including which staff members would be trained to administer insulin. CaTasha took that advice, had the 504 meeting and achieved the results she needed.

Jazmyne now has a 504 Plan in place.

The school administrators assured CaTasha that Jazmyne’s medical care and educational needs would be met at school. That included training all of the school nurses about diabetes care. CaTasha is not only happy for Jazmyne, but also for other children in the district who have diabetes.

CaTasha says, “I really appreciated the help I received from the Legal Advocate at the American Diabetes Association. She was so wonderful, helping me through the process and providing the information I needed to understand the rights of children who have diabetes.”

She adds: “As parents we are the advocates for our children. We need to go above and beyond to ensure that they are okay. We should not have to worry about their health during the school day.”

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The American Diabetes Association leads the effort to prevent and eliminate discrimination against people with diabetes at school, at work and in other parts of daily life. If you need help, call 1-800-DIABETES or visit http://ift.tt/1zCIiW2.

Through our nationwide Safe at School program, the Association is dedicated to making sure that all children with diabetes are medically safe at school and have the same educational opportunities as their peers. Visit our Safe at School website for information and resources.

Give the gift of fairness — donate now to help people with diabetes facing discrimination, just like Jazmyne.

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Diabetes Plus Kidney Problems May Raise Heart Risks

Title: Diabetes Plus Kidney Problems May Raise Heart Risks
Category: Health News
Created: 6/23/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/24/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Live. Work. Play: Dave’s Diabetes Story

Working for the American Diabetes Association^® means making a difference for millions of people and working toward a future free of diabetes and all its burdens.

We all have a story to share. Some of us live with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes or prediabetes. Others have loved ones with the disease or have lost someone to the fight.

The following are personal stories from the Association’s staff about why we are so committed to the mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

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Dave Nevins
Market Manager
Tucson, Arizona

Life took a huge detour 39 years ago when I walked out of the Virginia Mason Hospital & Medical Center in Seattle. I carried with me a bag of literature on diabetes, some new experience injecting an orange with water and a feeling that normal was now just a word situated in the middle of the dictionary. Fortunately for me, I’ve never been very fond of that word.

Although this detour has thrown some challenges my way, it has also helped shape me into a healthier Dave, a person with an adventurous spirit who can better empathize with others living with chronic diseases. Indeed, it has led me down some very cool paths.

Because of diabetes, I see my life as precious—one that I choose to live fully. I also try to encourage and inspire those around me to do the same. 

I first connected with the American Diabetes Association as a young teenager when I journeyed with the Seattle office and other teens to Glacier National Park in Montana. This was a backpack trip to Granite Park Chalet that included beautiful scenery and a feeling of normality among others living with diabetes, but with a dose of adventure. Through this experience, the Association helped lay that foundation of adventure in me.

In 2005, years after the national park trip, I crossed paths again with the Association at their Border to Border Against Diabetes Tour. This was a bicycle trip that a group of my friends and I took from the Arizona/Utah border to the Utah/Idaho border. After finishing we attended the Association’s EXPO in Salt Lake City, where we shared our cycling adventure story.

I then reconnected with the Association at a 5K/10K ocean swim that I organized in Alaska. They were extremely helpful with logistical planning and Janel Wright, JD, former chair of the national board of directors, spoke one year at the event. I’ve always loved planning and running events for great causes.

Today I am known for bungee jumping, trail running, kayaking, sky diving, hiking, photography, filmmaking and even a base jump. And the adventures keep coming!

I wanted an extra dose of motivation to complete another marathon, kick up my training and focus even more on my health. I am currently signed up for an ultra-marathon in Tucson. I’m also creating a type 1 team for a 24-hour mountain bike race; we plan to make a film to share our experience. I build my life around challenges, and this run and bike race will give me two major challenges. There is even a possible bungee jump near the Grand Canyon in my future!

Because of diabetes, I have chosen to live my life in the healthy zone—which requires extra work, extra sweat on my brow and extra veggies on my plate. The result? I’ve reached a new level of fitness, experienced adventure that most people haven’t even dreamed of and earned some pretty cool t-shirts along the way.

In November 2015, things really came full-circle for me when I was hired to manage the Association’s Tucson office. Now I can more fully realize my passion to be more involved with diabetes through event planning and to encourage and inspire those around me. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be on the team.

I’m chasing dreams and taking on challenges! Are you chasing yours?

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To learn more about nationwide employment opportunities and life at the Association, please visit diabetes.org/careers.

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Driving Advancements in Diabetes Research at our Scientific Sessions

American Diabetes Association President, Medicine & Science, makes fiery plea to create a sense of urgency about diabetes. Photo by © ADA/Susan Poag.

If you were looking for the world’s leading diabetes researchers last week, you would have found them in New Orleans.  The American Diabetes Association’s 76^th Annual Scientific Sessions—the world’s largest and most comprehensive professional meeting centered on diabetes—took place June 10-14 in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

This annual meeting drew together nearly 16,500 attendees (including clinicians, scientists and educators) from 120 countries for five days of scientific presentations, discussions and analyses of the latest research findings related to this complex disease we call diabetes.

Research shared at this year’s meeting will help further advance scientific understanding of diabetes and shape the future of diabetes management. Here are some highlights from the more than 230 sessions and 3,100 abstracts presented this year.

Presidential Addresses and Announcements from our Association Leaders at Scientific Sessions:

• American Diabetes Association President, Health Care & Education, champions diabetes self-management education: Margaret A. Powers, PhD, RD, CDE, described our ongoing efforts to advocate for diabetes self-management education (DSME) and to expand DSME access during her presidential address Saturday morning. Dr. Powers noted that the United States spends the majority of its diabetes money on complications and hospitalizations and called for a paradigm shift to invest instead on prevention efforts to reduce complications and hospitalizations. She described the benefits and cost-effectiveness of DSME, which has no side effects, and called for advocacy to increase access to DSME. Read more about Dr. Powers’ observations via our “Diabetes Dispatch.”

• American Diabetes Association President, Medicine & Science, makes fiery plea to create a sense of urgency about diabetes: In an inspirational address Sunday morning, Desmond Schatz, MD, called diabetes the “epidemic of the 21st century,” and yet, described it as a disease that is often “invisible”. Relative to many other diseases, diabetes lacks the federal research funding and public support needed to realize significant advances. Dr. Schatz passionately urged attendees to advocate for the public attention and support needed to accelerate research and shift resources to bring the disease out of the shadows and to end the stigma of diabetes. Read more about Dr. Schatz’s powerful speech via our “Diabetes Dispatch.”

• CEO Kevin L. Hagan reveals a new collaboration between the American Diabetes Association and IBM Watson Health: Also on Sunday, the Association and IBM Watson Health announced a long-term collaboration to bring together the cognitive computing power of Watson and our vast repository of clinical and research data. The goal of the collaboration is to develop Watson-powered solutions that enable the diabetes community to optimize clinical, research and lifestyle decisions, and to address important issues that influence health outcomes, such as social determinants of health. Our organizations also aim to build a first-of-its-kind diabetes advisor for patients and caregivers.

Big Research News from Scientific Sessions:

• The Quest to Find New Cell Sources for Beta-Cell Replacement: Scientists unveiled promising research about new sources to replace failed beta cells—the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. If this momentum continues, people with diabetes may one day be able to say goodbye to insulin injections. A symposium at Scientific Sessions presented exciting updates regarding ongoing research for new sources to replace beta cells, including Transplanting Pig Islet Cells into humans and Gene Editing. Read more about how this research can help people living with type 1 diabetes.

• The Glucose-Lowering Drug Liraglutide Lowers Risk for
  

  Presenters during a press conference at the American Diabetes Association’s 76th Annual Meeting. Photo by © ADA/Todd Buchanan.

  Cardiovascular Complications, Kidney Disease and Death in People with Type 2 Diabetes: Liraglutide is an injectable GLP-1 agonist that has been shown to safely and effectively lower glucose in a large number of clinical studies. Results released during Scientific Sessions from the Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes – Evaluation of Cardiovascular Outcome Results (LEADER) trial show that liraglutide also can reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attacks and strokes, all-cause mortality and diabetic kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes at high risk for cardiovascular The study was published in theNew England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) concurrent with the presentation by John B. Buse, MD, PhD,  at Scientific Sessions.

• Research Results Indicate that Automated Glucagon Delivery Reduces Hypoglycemia by 91 Percent at Night: Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) is a common and frightening complication of diabetes. It’s even more concerning when it occurs in the middle of the night, when you or your caregivers are less likely to detect the symptoms. Fortunately, some bright news about preventing hypoglycemia was presented at Scientific Sessions. According to a recent study, delivering small doses of glucagon (a peptide hormone, produced by alpha cells of the pancreas, that raises the concentration of glucose in the bloodstream) through an automated “bionic pancreas” can substantially reduce hypoglycemia in people with type 1 diabetes, especially at night.

These highlights are just a small sample of the incredible things that happened at this year’s event. “We’re really looking forward to driving advancements in research, advocacy, healthcare excellence and total wellness,” said Kevin L. Hagan, CEO of the Association. You can hear more from Kevin about the Association’s projects and some special announcements from this year’s Scientific Sessions by watching the video below.

For more information on this year’s Scientific Sessions, visit diabetesdispatchextra.org/ and catch up on the social media conversation with #2016ADA.

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Growth and Risk for Islet Autoimmunity and Progression to Type 1 Diabetes in Early Childhood: The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young Study

Increased growth in early childhood has been suggested to increase the risk of type 1 diabetes. This study explored the relationship between weight or height and development of persistent islet autoimmunity and progression to type 1 diabetes during the first 4 years of life in 7,468 children at genetic risk for type 1 diabetes followed in Finland, Germany, Sweden, and the U.S. Growth data collected every third month were used to estimate individual growth curves by mixed models. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate body size and risk of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. In the overall cohort, development of islet autoimmunity (n = 575) was related to weight z scores at 12 months (hazard ratio [HR] 1.16 per 1.14 kg in males or per 1.02 kg in females, 95% CI 1.06–1.27, P < 0.001, false discovery rate [FDR] = 0.008) but not at 24 or 36 months. A similar relationship was seen between weight z scores and development of multiple islet autoantibodies (1 year: HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.08–1.35, P = 0.001, FDR = 0.008; 2 years: HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.06–1.32, P = 0.004, FDR = 0.02). No association was found between weight or height and type 1 diabetes (n = 169). In conclusion, greater weight in the first years of life was associated with an increased risk of islet autoimmunity.

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Endothelial Fc{gamma} Receptor IIB Activation Blunts Insulin Delivery to Skeletal Muscle to Cause Insulin Resistance in Mice

Modest elevations in C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with type 2 diabetes. We previously revealed in mice that increased CRP causes insulin resistance and mice globally deficient in the CRP receptor Fc receptor IIB (FcRIIB) were protected from the disorder. FcRIIB is expressed in numerous cell types including endothelium and B lymphocytes. Here we investigated how endothelial FcRIIB influences glucose homeostasis, using mice with elevated CRP expressing or lacking endothelial FcRIIB. Whereas increased CRP caused insulin resistance in mice expressing endothelial FcRIIB, mice deficient in the endothelial receptor were protected. The insulin resistance with endothelial FcRIIB activation was due to impaired skeletal muscle glucose uptake caused by attenuated insulin delivery, and it was associated with blunted endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation in skeletal muscle. In culture, CRP suppressed endothelial cell insulin transcytosis via FcRIIB activation and eNOS antagonism. Furthermore, in knock-in mice harboring constitutively active eNOS, elevated CRP did not invoke insulin resistance. Collectively these findings reveal that by inhibiting eNOS, endothelial FcRIIB activation by CRP blunts insulin delivery to skeletal muscle to cause insulin resistance. Thus, a series of mechanisms in endothelium that impairs insulin movement has been identified that may contribute to type 2 diabetes pathogenesis.

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Brains of Teens With Type 2 Diabetes May Have Gray Matter Differences

Title: Brains of Teens With Type 2 Diabetes May Have Gray Matter Differences
Category: Health News
Created: 6/14/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/15/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Diabetes Drug Victoza May Help the Heart: Study

Title: Diabetes Drug Victoza May Help the Heart: Study
Category: Health News
Created: 6/14/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/15/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Spare the Meat, Skip the Type 2 Diabetes?

Title: Spare the Meat, Skip the Type 2 Diabetes?
Category: Health News
Created: 6/14/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/15/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Health Tip: Coping With Itchy Skin

Title: Health Tip: Coping With Itchy Skin
Category: Health News
Created: 6/14/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/14/2016 12:00:00 AM

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3 Popular Diet Plans May Help Ease Type 2 Diabetes, Too

Title: 3 Popular Diet Plans May Help Ease Type 2 Diabetes, Too
Category: Health News
Created: 6/10/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/13/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Tight Blood Sugar Control Helps Fight Diabetic Eye Disease

Title: Tight Blood Sugar Control Helps Fight Diabetic Eye Disease
Category: Health News
Created: 6/11/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/13/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Diabetes Doesn't Doom Seniors to Disability

Title: Diabetes Doesn't Doom Seniors to Disability
Category: Health News
Created: 6/11/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/13/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Complementary and alternative therapies for management of odor in malignant fungating wounds: a critical review

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Intensive Blood Sugar Control May Be Too Much for Some With Type 2 Diabetes

Title: Intensive Blood Sugar Control May Be Too Much for Some With Type 2 Diabetes
Category: Health News
Created: 6/6/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/7/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Insulin Pump for Diabetes

Title: Insulin Pump for Diabetes
Category: Procedures and Tests
Created: 1/9/2002 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/6/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Health Tip: Diabetes Can Harm Your Feet

Title: Health Tip: Diabetes Can Harm Your Feet
Category: Health News
Created: 6/2/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/2/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Swimming, Archery and Empowerment: Lisa and Nichole’s Diabetes Camp Story

The American Diabetes Association^® is proud to offer Diabetes Camps as a way for children living with diabetes to just be kids and enjoy traditional summer camp activities—all while learning important diabetes self-management skills from trained medical professionals and gaining self-confidence by spending time with peers who also live with diabetes.

This story comes from Lisa Savoy, whose daughter Nichole has attended Diabetes Camp three times. Read on—then find out how to become a Camp Champion.

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From left to right: Nichole, Gary, Lisa and Ryan Savoy

How do I even begin to explain what a life-changing experience Camp Carefree was for my daughter? Nichole was diagnosed with type 1 at age 9, and we actually learned of New Hampshire’s Camp Carefree, a two-week sleepover camp for kids with diabetes, during that first trip to the doctor. The doctor who diagnosed her happened to spend part of his summers there, and he encouraged us to look into it because Nichole was old enough for camp.

Our daughter used to be a bit of a “mommy’s girl,” though, so we weren’t surprised that she didn’t initially express interest. However, by age 11, Nichole told us that she was ready—and it was the best decision she’s made in her life.

Since being diagnosed, Nichole hadn’t slept over at anyone’s house; going to Camp Carefree was a big deal for her and us. We could tell she was a little nervous as she sat quietly in the car during our drive to camp, but one of the great things about Camp Carefree is that new campers check in before returning campers—all of the other children arriving with us were in the same boat as Nichole. She was hardly out of the car before she made friends with a girl her age!

We only stayed for a bit before leaving Nichole with her counselors and fellow campers. I remember looking at her as we drove away, praying she would do well. It took me almost a week to grow accustomed to not getting up to check on her in the middle of the night. During her time at camp, writing letters was our only method of communication, and I couldn’t wait to see her again.

When I arrived back at the camp two weeks later, I was greeted by a different Nichole. Camp Carefree had matured my daughter—she came home with more confidence and more knowledge about diabetes. Before camp, Nichole had only changed her insulin pump infusion site once. Afterward, she couldn’t wait to show me that she could change and rotate her sites all on her own, and she shared diabetes knowledge that even I didn’t know.

What Nichole loved most about Camp Carefree was that she spent two weeks with other kids who deal with the exact same things she does on a daily basis. She said she felt normal, and the friendships that she made at camp have made a lasting impression. She talks to her new friends almost daily, and even though some of them live far away, she’s gotten to see a few in person since camp ended.

Now about to begin her fourth summer of camp (and final summer as a camper), Nichole can’t wait to return—she’s even planning to become a Counselor-In-Training next year so she can help new campers the way that her counselors helped her.

I encourage every family who has a child with diabetes to look into Diabetes Camp. The time away may seem long, but it goes by quickly and is absolutely worth it. Camp Carefree is the best thing to happen to my daughter since diagnosis.

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Want to get involved with Diabetes Camps? Become a Camp Champion! By donating to the Association’s Diabetes Camps, you’ll help Team Tackle—an initiative uniting current, former and upcoming players from all 32 professional football teams—provide life-changing experiences for children with diabetes. Learn more at http://ift.tt/1P576ut.

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