According to the American Diabetes Association, one in every 400 children and adolescents have diabetes and overall just over eight percent of the population in the United States.
Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the body is unable to produce any or enough insulin to control the glucose levels in the blood.
Many Carlmont students and their family members have been diagnosed and are living with diabetes. To show their recognition for these fellow students and members of the community, a few Carlmont students have started the Diabetes Awareness and Support Club.
Founders of the club are junior Tommaso Ferme, sophomore Allegra Ferme, junior Lia Eldridge, and junior John Rawcliffe. Supporting these students is the advisor of the club, mathematics teacher Kimberly Callan. All except for Tommaso Ferme have been diagnosed with diabetes.
This autoimmune disease requires blood sugar levels to be closely watched. Most people who have been diagnosed use an inhibitor or a pump that injects the amount of insulin into their bodies to help them maintain the proper blood sugar levels to keep their bodies functioning properly and healthily.
“It is a ridiculous amount of work,” stated Callan.
Callan was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 19 and has been living with it ever since.
Allegra Ferme was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of four. Her older brother Tommaso stated that when she was diagnosed, “the family changed and the eating situation changed.” Tommaso Ferme wants this club to be able to “motivate Allegra.”
“Diabetics are often stereotyped as fat, obese, or overweight,” stated Rawcliffe. He continued, “I do not like to use the word ‘disease’,” when referring to people diagnosed with diabetes.
“High school isn’t the easiest and neither is living with type one diabetes,” said Rawcliffe.
The Diabetes Awareness and Support Club plans to participate in fundraisers such as runs, bake sales, and activities like helping children who have diabetes enjoy arts and crafts.
“I’d like to support diabetics because I see how much of a struggle it is to deal with. To me, DASC is a great place for diabetics and their friends or people just interested in learning more about the condition to help make a difference in the lives of people affected by diabetes,” stated Eldridge.
The Diabetes Awareness and Support Club is a new club this 2013-2014 school year and has every intention to help, support, and create an awareness around campus for students with diabetes.
