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
March 2010                                                                            
Volume 1, Issue 14
Healthy  Hint
Salad-colorful
Brighten up the gray days of winter by adding a rainbow of fruits and vegetables
to your plate.

T-O-P-S:
Type One Parent Support Group

The next session of the Type One Parent Support group will be Tuesday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m.  The topic will be "Coping with your Child's Diabetes & Tools for Taking Control."  Newcomers are always welcome. Register here or call 216-591-0800.
Thank You, John Kirk
John Kirk headshot
   In February John Kirk completed his two-year term as President of the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland's Board of Directors. John is the retired Chairman of Astrup Company.
  The staff and Board of Directors of the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland thank John for his wisdom and years of unwavering commitment to our organization.

   Debbie Hoffmann, a compassionate community activist and dedicated member of the DAGC Board for several years, is the Board's new president.  We wish her much success as she takes the reins for the next two years.

2010 Alllied Health Symposium:
"Diabetes Matters:
Steps to Solutions"
Person with footprints in sand
Registration Deadline Extended!
DAGC's annual Health Symposium for Allied Health Professionals will take place Thursday, March 18 at Cleveland Marriott East in Warrensville Heights.  Continuing Education (CE) credits will be available.  Registration deadline
is March 12.
Click here to register.
Free Education Program for Parents--
DAGC logo
"Diabetes & The Family:
Tips on Coping More Effectively & Making It Work for Everyone"

Camp Ho Mita Koda and the NE Ohio chapter of the JDRF will host a free program Wednesday, March 17 at 7 p.m. at the Skyline Hotel & Conference Center in Independence.
This program is for adults only.  Childcare will not be available. Register here for this free education program.
Be a Part of CHMK's Exciting Staff This Summer!
CHMK counselors-2
*  Improve Your Skills
 *  Enhance Your Resume
*  Make A Positive Difference
*  Have FUN!
Have one of your best summers ever! Come be a part of Camp Ho Mita Koda's exciting staff this summer.  Several staff positions are available.  See where you fit in, and download an application here.
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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

  

  It's easy to know the basic steps for taking care of ourselves:  eat the right foods, exercise regularly and get plenty of rest.  Putting those steps into action, though, isn't always so easy.  Thankfully, there are tools available to help those looking for a little "good health guidance," especially for those with diabetes.

   The new Aronoff Resource Center is a great place to find tools and get help.  Located within the DAGC offices on S. Green Road, this cheerful center is open each Tuesday from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  Use a computer to search for the most updated diabetes information, relax while you watch a video about diabetes management, learn how to use a blood glucose meter or ask our diabetes educator questions about your diet.  Diabetes risk assessments are also available by appointment (call 216-591-0800 to set up an appointment time).

   Another tool available to you is inside your pantry or refrigerator.  Since 1994, food companies have been required to print their products' nutritional information in an organized and set label box.  They also were required to include a list of ingredients on packages.  March is National Nutrition Month and a good time to become familiar with the labels on the foods you eat.  If you need help understanding any of the information, bring the label with you when you visit the Aronoff Resource Center.

   Finally, if you need additional help with meal planning or have questions about food and your diabetes, contact a Registered Dietitian (RD).  Registered Dietitians are specially-trained experts in food and nutrition and can steer you in a healthy direction.  Call our office if you need help finding a RD for your needs or if you have other questions about diabetes.  We are here to help you. 


Read What You Eat--

Good Nutrition Starts with Reading LabelsNutrition Facts Food Labels

There are so many food choices when shopping at the grocery store.  Knowing what foods to choose for a healthy diet can be confusing and challenging.  And for those with diabetes, choosing the best foods for a healthy lifestyle is especially important.

  This month is National Nutrition Month®, a month-long awareness and information campaign held each March by the American Dietetic Association.  One important way to celebrate this month is to learn more about what you eat each day.  Learning to read Nutrition Facts food labels is a great way to start and an important first step towards good nutrition and controlling your diabetes.

Former CHMK Campers Teach Lessons as Counselors

Wouldn't it be fun to be a summer camper forever?  Hiking CHMK counselorsthrough a cool canopy of woods, canoeing along the banks of a quiet lake or singing silly songs around a campfire?  Though that might not be a reality for most people, for several former Camp Ho Mita Koda campers, returning to the camp as counselors is the perfect way to spend their summers and re-live their great camp days.  For most of the counselors at the Newbury, Ohio camp, the special pull of wonderful camp CHMK counselor and two boysmemories and the desire to be role models for children and teenagers coping with diabetes leads these young adults back to Camp Ho Mita Koda's beautiful setting.  Read more about Katie, Kelly, Josh and Micah and the impact they're making on the lives of CHMK campers.

Swim Like a Champion!Diana Munz with medals
   Here's your chance to improve your competitive swimming skills while learning from the best swimmers around.  The Verizon Wireless Swim for Diabetes Swim Clinic, featuring Olympic medalist Diana Munz, her coach Jerry Holtrey and other local coaches, will be held Saturday, May 15 at Cleveland State University's Busbey Natatorium.  The clinic will be from noon until 4:00 pm and is open to swimmers between ages 8-18.  A minimum donation of $100 per participant is due on or before the day of the event.
   Registration is limited, so register today and then start your fund raising online!  Don't miss your chance to learn from the best!

**Note: Diana's father, Bob Munz, recently passed away from complications from type 1 diabetes.  Donations to honor his memory can be made to the Robert J.Munz Memorial Fund by clicking here.  Thank you.
It's Time to Take Charge of Your Diabetes
   If you're among the 800,000 Ohioans with diabetes-- or you suspect you may be one of the 200,000 who has diabetes but Charging bull-animateddoesn't know it--please join us Friday, March 26 from 2-4 p.m. at the DAGC offices to take charge of your diabetes.  Learn the signs of diabetes, possible complications, and ways to manage diabetes. This free presentation also will include a cooking demonstration featuring healthy food items to sample.
   Reservations are required.  Call 216-591-0800.  This event is sponsored by the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland and The Ohio State University Extension.

Tricia Vance:  Tireless Volunteer Helps

DAGC andTricia Vance headshot CHMK Shine

  Organizing and planning Camp Ho Mita Koda's annual fundraiser Backpack Bivouac is no small task.  The person in charge with staging this successful event for the past several years has been volunteer Tricia Vance.  As the volunteer Chairperson of Backpack Bivouac since 2005, Tricia enthusiastically has led the volunteer planning committee and supervised all event details.  Under her leadership, the event has raised more than $200,000 for CHMK.

  Tricia also has been a member of the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland's Board of Directors since 2006 where she has served as a member of the Development Committee and the CHMK Steering Committee.  She also volunteers annually for the Swim for Diabetes.

   For these and many more reasons, the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland has nominated Tricia Vance for the 2010 United Way Spotlight Volunteer Award.  We thank Tricia for her endless enthusiasm and commitment to DAGC and to the children at CHMK.

Allie Puntel Receives 2010 CHMK Scholarship

  Allie PuntelAllie Puntel, 17, of Bay Village has been selected to receive the 2010 Camp Ho Mita Koda scholarship from the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland.  Allie attended CHMK for four years.  DAGC's CEO Helen Dumski will present the scholarship to Alllie at the CHMK Open House on June 19.

   The $1,000 academic scholarship recognizes Allie's academic achievements, community involvement and extracurricular activities.  Allie attends Bay High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, takes three Advanced Placement classes and maintains a 3.7 GPA.  She is very involved with the BHS Key Club and serves as the club's vice president.  She is also a percussionist in the school's symphonic band and plays the crash cymbals in the marching band.

   Allie enjoyed her years at CHMK and advises campers to "step out of their comfort zone and meet new people."  She made some great friends at camp and expects to stay in touch with them for years to come. 

   Allie plans to enter the pharmacy program either at Ohio Northern University or the University of Findlay.  Congratulations, Allie!

New Members Join DAGC Board of Directors

   The Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland is pleased to announce the addition of 13 new members to itDAGC logos Board of Directors.  "We look forward to welcoming these community leaders to our Board," said new Board President Debbie Hoffmann. "I'm excited about the work we'll be doing together to improve the lives of people affected by diabetes and by leading the Northeast Ohio community in its prevention, management and cure." 

   The new Board members include: Patrice Blakemore (Blakemore Coaching); Joseph Boatwright (Roetzel & Andress), Wanda Cruz-Knight, MD (University Hospitals Case Medical Center); Ward Dumm (Swagelok Company); Paul Graff (Precision Machine Controls, Inc./Innovar Systems Limited); Anne Harmody (Community Volunteer); Dave Lasko (Advocare); Diana Munz (Community Volunteer); Todd Steele (Progressive Insurance/ABA Insurance Services); RaeAnne Stock (Grant Thornton); Donna Taliaferro (Self-employed); Lori Weinstein (Cleveland Clinic).

   The Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland is grateful to all community volunteers, including Board members, who give their time to further the mission of our organization.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
* March 9                  T.O.P.S. meeting
* March 17 
               CHMK-JDRF Spring Education Program
* March 18                Allied Health Symposium
* March 26                Dining with Diabetes
* April 10                  DAGC Diva Session
* April 11                  SCUBA for Diabetes
* April 20                  T.O.P.S. meeting
* May 14, 15, 16        25th Anniversary Swim for Diabetes
                                     sponsored by Verizon Wireless
* May 15                    Swim Clinic w/ Diana Munz & Jerry Holtrey
* May 18                    T.O.P.S meeting
* June 5                     CHMK Spring Bicycle Ride
* June 7                     19th Annual DAGC Golf Tournament
                                   presented by Consolidated Graphics
* June 12                    Verizon Wireless Swim for Diabetes
                                   Awards Ceremony @ Progressive Field
* June 15                     T.O.P.S. meeting

 
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.