Never Too Young for Diabetes

http://www.religionnewsblog.com/23478/madeline-neumann-faith-healing-3

Stories like this are the reason that we have created a new campaign: "You're Never Too Young to Have Diabetes." Every day, you hear stories about children dying from undiagnosed diabetes. Believe it or not, it happens in your own hometowns, and it happens regularly. "Oh, it's the stomach bug." "It's just hormones- she'll grow out of it." "He played too much today; that's why he's so tired and thirsty." These are excuses for the unknown- the symptoms of diabetes.

The basic premise of this campaign is that children of any age can develop diabetes, and that undiagnosed diabetes can lead to a life-threatening medical condition known as 'diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA),' which may require emergency medical intervention.

Undiagnosed diabetes for anyone can be lethal, but many people operate under the misconception that small children cannot develop diabetes. Nothing could be further from the truth. Actually, we visited a newly diagnosed 20 month old very recently, and a two year old not long before that. There are children even younger than that who develop diabetes, too.

It is vitally important for EVERYONE to know the warning signs of diabetes in children, which can include the following:

Increased thirst
Frequent urination
Unusual sleepiness, fatigue
Irritability
Unexplained weight loss
Bedwetting/ other accidents in children who are toilet trained
Nausea and/or vomiting

Children of any age with symptoms of diabetes should have their blood glucose tested.

Want to learn more? Call us: 1-877-DFM-CURE. And remember that you're never too young to have diabetes.

Camp Kandu, Where Kids with Diabetes "Kandu" Anything

The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi is unique for many reaons. We are unique in that every dollar raised stays in the state. We are unique because we are the only nonprofit diabetes organization that works directly for Mississippians of all ages with type and type 2 diabetes.

This weekend was Camp Kandu where we provided a weekend of fun, excitement and education for over 100 parents and kids with diabetes. We had Lillie Grace (5) assisting Kelli (5) with her blood sugar. Lillie Grace did not understand why Kelli did not know how to do it on her own. We had Sadie (3 and a half) singing at breakfast, "You Are My Sunshine!" It was a beautiful weekend with much laughter and bonding as families came together to make new friends and learn to live well with diabetes. These are the things which make the DFM unique.

Striking a Pose for a Good Cause

On March 26, the Diabetes Foundation hosted its annual Ultimate Fashion Show and Champagne Brunch at the Country Club of Jackson. Bringing friendly faces and the most fashionable styles together, the Ultimate Fashion Show was the talk of the town!

More important than the beautiful clothes, delicious quiche, fabulous giveaways and gorgeous spring weather, though, is that so many people come out to show their support for the DFM and its dedication to helping make Mississippi a healthier place.

So, not only was the Ultimate Fashion a big hit on the runway, but behind
the scenes, as well. Somewhere in Mississippi, a family is learning how to test their child's blood sugar on the new meter provided to them by the DFM. Somewhere in Mississippi, a child's school has an emergency preparedness box to help them prevent diabetes emergencies. Somewhere in Mississippi, an individual with nowhere to turn grabs the helping hand of the DFM and receives life-saving medications. All across Mississippi, people are being screened for diabetes and are being sent risk tests and other diabetes literature, because until there's a cure, education is needed for today.

Thank you, Mississippi, for supporting the DFM and, more importantly, for extending a hand to your neighbors in need.