DAGC horiz logo masthead-small  Diabetes Matters

Your Local Source for Diabetes Management, News and Information 

* Learning         * Empowering          * Living


CHMK boys and girlsDAGC logoDAGC logo
Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland Newsletter
December 2009                                                                             
Volume 1, Issue 11
Healthy Hint
two women walking-animated
Use your holiday shopping time to get some exercise.  Take an extra walk around the mall before heading into the stores to tackle your holiday gift list.
Attention Facebook Friends:
Your Vote Can Help DAGC
Chase Community Giving hand
Chase Community Giving is giving away $5 million to local charities and is asking Facebook users to vote for their favorite nonprofit groups by December 11. Here's your chance to help make a difference.  Please click here to cast your vote.  Be sure to forward this to friends and family, so they can help make a difference, too.
Give the Gift
of DAGC
Gift-red and green box
This holiday season, give the gift that gives to others.  Please consider a donation to the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland (DAGC) in honor of or in memory of someone special.  Your generous contribution stays right here in Northeast Ohio.
Click here to make the holidays  brighter for your family, friends and neighbors touched by diabetes. Thank you.
T-O-P-S:
Type One Parent Support Group
Mother and girl
The next session of the Type One Parent Support group will be Tuesday, December 15 at 6:30 p.m.  Newcomers are always welcome. Register here or call 216-591-0800.
Red checkmark
Sign Me Up!
Help us reduce costs to serve you better.  Make sure we have your correct email address and contact information.  Please update your profile - or sign up now - to receive electronic notifications about programs, events or services. 
Join Our Mailing List
How to Reach Us...
Cleveland, OH
44122-5719
216-591-0800
216-591-0320 (fax) 
 
Please visit us at www.dagc.org.  
Helen M. Dumski, MA, RD, LD /President & CEODAGC logo   
   Someone in your family, at your workplace, or in your neighborhood is struggling to live with diabetes. Or perhaps you know of a child recently diagnosed with diabetes who feels alone with the new challenges of the disease.  And these tough economic times are taking a toll on those who are trying to live well with diabetes. Many people are being forced to choose between paying rent or buying diabetes supplies.  Children with diabetes whose families are economically strapped will have to pass up the chance to learn how to live a "normal" life in a comfortable camp setting.
   Diabetes is a serious, life-threatening illness that kills 18,000 Ohioans each year and hospitalizes over 250,000.  Without proper monitoring and management, diabetes can result in blindness, strokes, amputations, kidney disease and heart attacks. We're all re-evaluating our priorities and trying to put our precious resources where they matter most.  The 1 in 11 Northeast Ohioans affected by diabetes need your help now more than ever.
   Please consider a gift to DAGC this holiday season. Your donation means that someone you know will receive life-enriching services to help them avoid serious health consequences.  Because DAGC is a local nonprofit organization, your tax-deductible donation stays right here in our community-and the health of those in our community is at stake. Please click here to give the gift that makes a difference and will last a lifetime.
   May your holiday season be filled with joy, laughter and good health!

Tis' the Season: Manage Your Stress, Manage YourHoliday candles Diabetes

   As the holidays approach, there are all sorts of reasons for people to become more stressed than usual.  The holidays bring certain expectations with them around gift-giving, holiday entertaining and relationships with family and friends, just to name a few.  And if you have diabetes, stress can affect your blood glucose. Click here to read more about managing stress for your health's sake this holiday season.
String of PearlsDAGC Divas:  Pearls, Pumps & Pods
Join the DAGC Divas Saturday, December 5 for a show-and-tell session about insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitoring devices and pearls of DAGC logowisdom from some divas who use them.  Hand-made "Diva ornaments" (right) will be on sale for $2 each at the session, too.  As always, DAGC Diva sessions are free and open to anyone touched by diabetes.  Call 216-591-0800 to register today.
DAGC Volunteer Receives Special Recogntion
   Kim BehmKim Behm, a member of the DAGC Board of Directors and long-time DAGC volunteer, has been selected by her employer Johnson & Johnson as one of 10 J&J employees worldwide for her community service as a DAGC volunteer.  Kim is a clinical manager and diabetes educator for Animas, a Johnson & Johnson company that makes insulin pumps.
    Kim has worked as a health care professional in the field of diabetes for more than 25 years.  She specializes in the area of preventive health, behavioral change, chronic disease management as well as public speaking.  She has been actively involved with DAGC and Camp Ho Mita Koda since the 1980s and continues to be an active voice and advocate for DAGC. 
     "My passion is to educate, motivate, support, encourage and change people's lives toward the better," said Behm.  "Diabetes has been my life because I was 'wired' to help others help themselves and share the tools of education and self-management skills."  As part of her recognition, Johnson & Johnson will be awarding DAGC with a $10,000 gift.  Congratulations, Kim, and thank you for all you've done and continue to do for DAGC and CHMK!
DDRI Recognizes Two Area Physicians
   The Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland's Dietrich Diabetes Research Institute (DDRI) recently presented its 2009 Lifetime Achievement in Diabetes Research Award to two Cleveland-area physicians renowned for their research in the area of diabetes. VincentVincent Monnier M. Monnier, MD (left) of Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine and Patrick M. DAGC logoCatalano, MD (right) of MetroHealth Medical Center were honored at the 6th Annual DDRI/CWRU Diabetes Research Symposium on November 13.  The DDRI Lifetime Achievement in Diabetes Research Award recognizes area scientists, researchers or physicians who have significantly contributed toward improving the quality of life for those living with diabetes.
   Established in 2003 by Nancy and Richard Dietrich, the Dietrich Diabetes Research Institute is the research arm of DAGC. DDRI works to strengthen local diabetes research presence, support cooperation and networking, and help improve the overall quality of clinical care for people in Northeast Ohio with diabetes.
Several Honored at 25th Promenade
   More than 300 DAGC supporters and friends attended the 25th DAGC logoannual Promenade:  "Take Steps to Fight Diabetes" on DAGC logoNovember 14.  Though the event was filled with exciting dance competition between eight pairs of enthusiastic dancers, the evening also highlighted several individuals who have made a difference to DAGC over the years.  Dr. Byron Hoogwerf (left) and Jeff Weiner (right) both received Honorary Director of the Year Awards for their work on the DAGC Board of Directors and continuing commitment to DAGC and Camp Ho Mita Koda.  Gary DAGC logoLichtenstein (left) received the Director of the Year Award. He serves as the DAGC Board Treasurer and was the former chairman of Swim for Diabetes.
   The Leadership in Development Award went to BillBill Murman Murman.  Murman (right) serves on the DAGC Board of Directors and has co-chaired DAGC's Golf Outing for the past few years.  Betty Rendlesham (below left) was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award for her extraordinary support of and involvement in Swim for Diabetes for 13 years.  Over the years, Rendlesham has raised $80,000 for DAGC logoDAGC through the Swim.  Finally, the DAGC Media Award was presented to ideastream�.  Through the use of its subsidiaries WCPN, WVIZ and its website in 2009, ideastream� increased the awareness of diabetes symptoms, risk factors and treatments in Northeast Ohio.  Congratulations and a big "thank you" to all of our 2009 award recipients.
Beta Theta Pi Walks for DAGC
Beta Theta Pi fraternity at CWRU recently held its 25th annual Steven P. Arnold Walk-a-Thon to benefit the Diabetes Association of GreaterBeta Theta Pi Walkers Cleveland.  The event was established in 1986 in memory of fraternity brother Steven P. Arnold ('84) who died from diabetes complications.  More than 125 people participated in this year's event which raised more than $5,000, the second highest amount raised in 25 years.  Since 1986, the Steven P. Arnold Walk-a-Thon has raised more than $57,000, which is used to underwrite public education programs during November (Diabetes Awareness Month) and to print diabetes educational materials.  Our many thanks to this dedicated and special organization!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
* Dec. 3 & 10           Dining with Diabetes
* Dec. 5                   DAGC Diva Session
* Dec. 15                 T.O.P.S. meeting
* Jan. 9                   DAGC Diva Session
* March 18               2010 Allied Health Symposium
* May 14, 15 & 16     Swim for Diabetes
 
The Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland (DAGC) is a local, independent nonprofit agency dedicated to helping the 1 in 11 people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in Northeast Ohio.  One hundred percent of funds raised remain in our community to support prevention and risk assessment programs, diabetes education, local medical research, and Camp Ho Mita Koda for children with diabetes.
DAGC is not affiliated with any national organization.


Diabetes Matters is a trademark of the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland.  All rights reserved.