Diabetes event planned

Families, kids with Type 1 invited on Sept. 16

By Keri Brenner | The Olympian • Published September 01, 2008

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OLYMPIA – The area's first major gathering for families of children with Type 1 diabetes is set for Sept. 16.

"We're trying to draw in families from Thurston, Mason and Lewis counties to provide education and support," said Jane Wehrli, a South Sound board member of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. "Usually, these events only go as far south as Tacoma."

Wehrli said that at the event, while the children are playing games, the parents will get an update on current Type 1 diabetes research from Dr. Carla Greenbaum, director of the diabetes program at Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Medical Center.

Family members also can receive free screenings for diabetes at the event.

Wehrli said her daughter, Lisa, was diagnosed as having Type 1 diabetes five years ago, when she was 16.

"Her life was changed forever with the challenge of the disease," Jane Wehrli said of her daughter.

Jane Wehrli said her family received a lot of help through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which provides funding and advocacy for Type 1 diabetes research. She said she hopes to form a local support group so others can receive the same kind of help.

Juvenile diabetes usually is diagnosed between infancy and the late 30s. In the disease, a person's pancreas produces little or no insulin. The causes are not known, but scientists think the body's immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

People with Type 1 diabetes must inject insulin several times daily, or they can infuse themselves with insulin through a pump that is inserted under the skin.

Ally Van Schoorl, a varsity fastpitch softball player at Olympia High School, said she was diagnosed as having the disease at 11. Van Schoorl, 17, said the support from her parents and her doctor was important to remind her to keep checking her blood-sugar levels by pricking her finger four or more times a day.

Her doctor even sent her text messages when it was time to test, said Van Schoorl, who is starting her senior year.

"The main thing is, don't give up and stay motivated," she said. "Pretty soon, it will just become a part of your life and it will become a lot easier."

Keri Brenner covers Thurston County for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5435 or kbrenner@theolympian.com.