NEWSNOTES CHILDREN’S DIABETES FOUNDATION — FALL 2020
RUN FOR THE RING RECAP PAGE 18
SPRING BRASS RING RECAP PAGE 16
Jeremiah Renfrow
TOP TEAM FUNDRAISER FOR THE RUN FOR THE RING
NEWSNOTES FEATURES 4
Children’s Diabetes Foundation Board Members EXECUTIVE BOARD: Mrs. Barbara Davis, Chairman Dana Davis, Executive Director
COVID-19 UPDATES
Mr. Cameron van Orman, Vice Chairman Richard S. Abrams, M.D., Treasurer
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BDC UPDATES
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CHARLOTTE TUCKER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
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COLLEGE AND TYPE 1 DIABETES
Mrs. Arlene Hirschfeld, Secretary Stephen Daniels, M.D., Ph.D. Chairman of Pediatrics The Children’s Hospital, Denver Mrs. Nancy Davis Rickel Daniel Feiten, M.D. Mr. Wayne Forman Mr. Robert Garelick
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ARTIFICIAL PANCREAS SPRING BRASS RING 2020
Mrs. Deidre Hunter Mr. Shawn Hunter Mrs. Marcela de la Mar Mrs. Tracy van Orman John J. Reilly, Jr., M.D. Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs & Dean, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Mr. Ken Rickel
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RUN FOR THE RING 2020
Mrs. Stacy Mendelson Robinson Marian Rewers, M.D., Ph.D. Ex-Officio Member Mr. Joseph Smolen
Mark Atkinson, Ph.D. Professor of Pathology & Pediatrics, Director, University of Florida Diabetes Institute Ezio Bonifacio, Ph.D. Professor for Preclinical Approaches to Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Regenerative Therapies, Dresden, Germany Robert Eckel, MD Professor of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Mr. Shane Hendryson
Mr. Steve Lucas
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SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD: Richard S. Abrams, M.D. Director, Colorado Preventive Medicine, Rose Medical Center; Clinical Professor of Medicine UCD
Matthias Hebrok, Ph.D. Professor in Residence and Director, Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco Steven Kahn, MB, Ch.B. Professor of Medicine, Director of the Diabetes Research Center, University of Washington Rudolph Leibel, MD Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine, Co-Director, Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, Columbia University Alvin Powers, MD Professor of Medicine, Molecular Physiology/Biophysics, Division Director, Vanderbilt University William Tamborlane, MD Professor of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine
NewsNotes is published quarterly by the Children’s Diabetes Foundation. If you would like to submit an article or a letter to NewsNotes, send information to CDFcares@ChildrensDiabetesFoundation.org. Zachary Reece, Graphic Designer Lisa Steele & Dana Davis, Editors
Facebook.com/ ChildrensDiabetesFoundation
@CDFdiabetes
@CDFdiabetes
CDFcares@ChildrensDiabetesFoundation.org 303-863-1200 • 4380 S. Syracuse St., Ste. 430 Denver, CO 80237
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IN MEMORIUM: DR. BILL JACKSON It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Dr. William E. (Bill) Jackson, the
founding director of the Eye Clinic at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes (BDC), on January 22, 2020. He was the first ophthalmologist in the Rocky Mountain area to use laser photocoagulation to reduce vision loss in people with diabetes. Since 1988, Dr. Jackson initially volunteered at the BDC to provide free-of-charge eye care to underserved patients with diabetes. He left private practice at Presbyterian Hospital in 1996 to start the William E. Jackson Eye Clinic at the BDC. Following his retirement in 2006, Dr. Jackson continued his relationship with the BDC and the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado as Emeritus Professor. In 1998, when Dr. Jackson was honored at the Stapleton Dinner, Dr. George Eisenbarth wrote the following: “Very few people are born to be an ophthalmologist. I place Dr. Jackson in that group. One must certainly be more meticulous than a Porsche engineer and be able to assume the responsibility of operating where a millimeter is the difference between vision and darkness. Even fewer individuals would also live a life of giving. William Jackson is again such an individual. He has volunteered his time for more than a decade to help children with eye disease when all our Center could offer was a closet to store his instruments. We have been enriched by his presence and very pleased that he has created an ophthalmology unit at the Barbara Davis Center, whose attainable goal is the prevention of the blindness associated with diabetes.” The allusion to the Porsche refers to Dr. Jackson’s interest in Porsche cars, which he developed after serving in the Korean War. Many patients fondly remember the pictures of Porsche racecars adorning the walls of Dr. Jackson’s offices, as well as being regaled with Dr. Jackson’s stories related to his hobby. To this day, his patients routinely ask about Dr. Jackson and remember fondly the care he compassionately delivered as he gave his ‘grade’ regarding the health of their eyes. He will be deeply missed by his patients, colleagues, and friends. Dr. William E. Jackson Endowment was established in Dr. Jackson’s name at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes to support diabetes eye research and care. Contributions can be made online at barbaradaviscenter.org or by mail to: Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes 1775 Aurora Ct. MS B140 Aurora, CO 80045 A Second Cure is the second novel about diabetes and the search for a cure by H. Peter Chase, M.D., author and co-author of several diabetes education books featuring the Pink Panther. Dr. Chase’s first novel, A Cure, centered on a cure for diabetes and clinical care, particularly relating to hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). A Second Cure is a sequel and features the same characters. In addition to finding a cure for diabetes, this novel highlights the development of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGM), and how they work together to help prevent hypoglycemia. The book also discusses problems surrounding the development of a new diabetes center. Many aspects of the clinical care of diabetes are included in both novels. The books should be helpful for anyone wanting to learn more about diabetes and diabetes research, while reading a novel of murder and suspense. Even for people who are unfamiliar with diabetes, the novel is written to help develop an understanding and empathy for those who work so hard, day-in and day-out, to live with this demanding disease. A Second Cure can be purchased at Amazon.com. Other publications written by Dr. Chase can be found at www.ChildrensDiabetesFoundation.org/books.
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COVID-19 UPDATE
ANSWERING YOUR COVID QUESTIONS G. Todd Alonso, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
With the rising number of coronavirus/COVID-19 cases in Colorado and Wyoming, we understand that patients with diabetes and their families will have special concerns about how this may impact their health. For older adults with diabetes, it has been widely published that diabetes represents a major risk factor for complications of COVID-19. The virus typically has a milder course in children, and the evidence we have so far suggests that most children and young people with diabetes are not at a significantly higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease than other children and young people of the same age. However, as with other viral illnesses, there is an increased risk for ketones and even DKA if diabetes is not carefully managed. Please keep in mind that we are learning new information about this novel virus on a daily basis. How can I prevent my child from getting COVID-19? Should I do anything differently? We advise children with diabetes and their families to be vigilant to well-known preventative measures to help prevent infection including:
• • • • •
Hand washing Maintaining social distancing Using a mask when out of the home Avoid being around anyone who is sick Following all local regulations regarding public activity
What if my child has symptoms of COVID-19? If your child has concerning symptoms, please contact your primary care doctor or pediatrician to arrange for testing and seek medical advice. Please follow your blood glucose and ketones closely and follow your diabetes sick day plan. My child has tested positive for COVID-19, what do we do? It is important to monitor your blood glucose and ketones closely and follow your sick day plan. If your child is having high fever, trouble breathing or other concerning symptoms, you should call their primary care provider or seek urgent medical care. Should I keep my child out of school in the fall if it is in-person? This will be a decision that each family has to make based on their situation. The decision to have school in-person will be based on the community transmission in your area. The benefits of learning, socializing with peers and being involved in school activities must be considered with the risk of the virus. COVID-19 typically has a milder course in children, and the evidence we have so far suggests that most children and young people with diabetes are not at a significantly higher risk compared to other children and young people of the same age. However, as with other viral illnesses, there is an increased risk for ketones and even DKA if diabetes is not carefully managed. Whether schools meet in-person or with distance learning, your child has rights. ADA has helpful resources on this topic: www.diabetes.org/coronavirus-covid-19/know-your-rights-covid-19. When a vaccine is approved in the U.S., would you recommend it for your patients and your family? I can say unequivocally that I trust the process of vaccine science, how vaccines are approved and brought to market. When vaccines are approved, I trust that they are very safe. The science behind this and the way vaccines are brought out, is the same type of science and the same process we use to treat your child with diabetes. I’m really enthusiastic about the point that there are several vaccine candidates [at the time of writing] and most likely we’ll see several vaccines this fall or early this winter. I really do look forward to the time when I can recommend this for my family and my patients. Thank you for your dedication to your child’s diabetes management. As always, should you have specific concerns that come up, do not hesitate to contact the Barbara Davis Center.
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by Kerr y McCawley
I have been going to the Barbara Davis Center since I was diagnosed with type one diabetes at 21 months old. I can remember going to the BDC when it was still in Denver. I know exactly what a visit is supposed to be like, so much so, that I pull out my meter and disconnect my pump before heading through the door. However, in my nearly 18 years of attending appointments at the BDC, I have never attended an appointment during a pandemic, until this year. 2020, the year to change everything. When COVID-19 started back in March, one thought immediately popped into my head: how will I have my Barbara Davis appointment? As April approached, I received a call from the BDC and was asked if my appointment could be rescheduled for June 2020. I obliged as I wasn’t eager to go out during a pandemic. I still however wasn’t sure if my appointment was going to be done via the internet or in-person. As June drew nearer and nearer, and the BDC began to accept a small number of patients a day I was told that my appointment would be in-person.
COVID-19 UPDATE
MY SOCIALLY DISTANCED BDC APPOINTMENT
Finally, the day came, and I felt a mixed emotion of nerves and wonder as my mom and I began the familiar drive to Aurora. When we arrived at the Barbara Davis Center, the parking lot was alarmingly empty, aside from a few stray cars. As my mom and I pulled on our masks and walked to the front doors, a new sense of nerves poured over me. And not the kind when you’ve forgotten to drink enough water and your doctor wants to do labs. Upon being admitted into the building, I was prompted to pull out my phone and scan a QR code which took me to a COVID questionnaire. After filling out the questionnaire, my mom and I’s temperatures were taken, and we were given our bill of health to move on. After checking in, we waited in the reception area to be called to test my a1c. It felt odd as my mom and I locked eyes with the only other patient, across the room, over the top of the chairs draped with signs asking for you to not sit on them. Once my a1c was done, we were swiftly taken to a room I’d never seen before. I asked the nurse about it, and she told me it was so they could clean the other rooms. While waiting for my doctor I rigorously examined the wall displaying a painting of elephants wading through water. I’ve always loved getting lost in the different paintings when I’m put into a new room. Even with the warm orange glow of the painted sunset, the BDC felt chillingly empty in the strangely deafening quiet. It was odd to not hear the multitude of voices streaming through the hallways, that I had become so accustomed to. Finally, my doctor came in, breaking the silence and scrubbing her hands profusely in the sink. In all my years as a patient of the BDC, I have never seen my doctors come in in scrubs. It was peculiar to see her with her long hair pulled back, a mask strapped over her mouth and a face shield on. A strange sense poured over me, as I wondered if this will be the new normal for appointments from here on out. My doubts and worries faded away as my appointment went on. I even found a calming sense of normalcy as the phlebotomist and I chatted about the pictures of different employees’ pets on the walls as she drew my blood. After my appointment and blood draws, my mom and I were thrilled to be able to take off our face masks after getting in the car. We pumped out big blobs of hand sanitizer, which had gotten hot from the sun, before leaving for home and talking about how odd it felt with such a small amount of people at the BDC, but how grateful we were to be able to have a safe appointment. As a type one diabetic, safety has been my top concern since the COIVD outbreak, and the BDC did a wonderful job of ensuring both patient and employee safety under the circumstances. Even with all these new oddities, it was nice to see some friendly faces and be at the BDC with my doctor. Through all my years of going to the BDC, I’ve always looked forward to seeing all the wonderful people who work there, and nothing can change that. Nothing beats being face to face, and I know that even if all appointments do end up being socially distanced, that everything will be okay.
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BARBARA DAVIS CENTER UPDATES
What you can expect for your next inperson clinic appointment Please visit the health screening tables in the lobby upon your arrival. You will be required to take a questionnaire and get your temperature taken before proceeding to the front desk for check-in.
SINCE MARCH 2019:
Please arrive 10 minutes early to accommodate this additional screening time. We have so many wonderful patients coming to see us that we MUST check you in at the correct time. Please note: if you are more than 10 minutes late, we will need to reschedule due to high demand in appointments.
1,000+
When visiting the BDC for research, please be in contact with your research coordinator and they will greet you outside to begin your check-in process.
300+
2,000 TOUCHPOINTS
COMPLETED APPOINTMENTS
512
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS HAVE RECEIVED INDIVIDUALIZED CARE
PRE VISIT PLANNING COORDINATION’S HAVE TAKEN PLACE
Extra Care Program The Barbara Davis Center offers an extra care program for patients in need of extra support, education, and engagement in planning for their visit beforehand to maximize their clinic time. Our team strives to overcome barriers (these can include, but are not limited to: transportation, insurance, education, transition of care, and management tools) patients are facing when receiving quality, patient-centered care.
Teens taking control of T1D Team Clinic is a clinical appointment designed to enhance the patient experience, accredit advocacy, and provide patients the empowerment to take control of their own care through real life experiences, interactive situations, and community connections at the Barbara Davis Center. Through this Team Clinic experience, BDC staff provides the means for patients to become the driver of their type 1 diabetes management. Patients meet briefly with their provider, then break off into parent and teen groups. Parents are able to share their experiences with one another, while patients have the opportunity to problem solve and think critically through day-to-day situations they often come across. Contact Katie at Katelin.Thivener@cuanschutz.edu to get started in the Team Clinic program.
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OVER
Your Quality Improvement team at the Barbara Davis Center implemented a patient navigator to help preplan and connect with Barbara Davis Center pediatric patients during their visits. The patient navigator position for the extra care program began full time in March 2019. The patient navigator has been shown to improve visit adherence, engagement in care, consistency in providers, and connection to their diabetes care and center. Type 1 diabetes can be overwhelming at times. Living with T1D may need additional assistance through different life phases. There may be certain times in life (such as transition to high school, college, etc.) where additional touchpoints with the diabetes team may be more helpful. We are here to navigate this journey together. We want to make your time with us meaningful. *Please reach out to Katie (Katelin.Thivener@ cuanschutz.edu) if you would like to know more about the program, building a resource toolkit, or need any assistance during these times.
P A RT NE R WI TH T H E C HI L DREN 'S D IA B ET ES FO U NDAT IO N T OD A Y! Did you know that your company or employer can become a year-long partner of the Children’s Diabetes Foundation? CDF offers a customizable partnership package based on the branding opportunities and events that your company/employer finds of interest. A year-long partnership with CDF can make you stand out among competitors while supporting an important cause – a cure for type 1 diabetes.
Branding & Engagement Opportunities Special Events 2,900+ total attendees Social Media 39,000+ followers Newsletters 2,500+ readers Email Marketing 24,000+ recipients Website Inclusion Up to 15,000 monthly visitors & much more!
Our partnership can make a difference!
Why should you partner with CDF? Because giving back to your community and to a cause you’re passionate about is advantageous for your business. It attracts and retains employees, and simply said, it’s just the right thing to do! Your company will receive brand recognition and have exposure to current and prospective clients through CDF’s network and our professional and engaging events. Many opportunities to engage and provide entertainment to your employees and clients, all while being affiliated with a reputable healthcare nonprofit.
Contact Amanda@ChildrensDiabetesFoundation.org to learn more! 7
THE GUILD
2020 CHARLOTTE TUCKER SCHOLARSHIP The Guild of the Children’s Diabetes Foundation proudly awarded $4,000 scholarships to 20 well-deserving patients of the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes who are pursuing their passion through higher education. We are awarding 11 returning students and 9 freshmen for this school year. The recipients are headed into a variety of fields, all with big dreams and an inspiring drive.
This year has been a difficult year for everyone, and the students have shown perseverance and dedication to their education despite all the challenges they face this fall. We are thrilled to honor these special students as they forge forward to a brighter future. A special thanks to our Charlotte Tucker Scholarship Chair, Helen Hanks, who has served on the committee for several years and took on being our chair for 2020. Thank you to our Charlotte Tucker Scholarship Committee, Ron Carda, Lisa Corley, Lori Finch, Warren Hanks, Carole Kaiser, Lynnie Lucas, Cheryl Lebsock, and Chris Petre. We had an outstanding group that met virtually to review the 35 applicants for the 2020-2021 school year. The process is never an easy one as all the students are truly amazing and it is very challenging to narrow down the recipients.
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Helen Hanks Charlotte Tucker Scholarship Chair
Renee Choksey Colorado State University
Sarah Connors University of Colorado
Sadie Cooley University of Nebraska
Ian Fleming University of Colorado Boulder
Skylar Gallegos Pikes Peak Community College
Trystan Henderson Colorado Mesa University
Amelia Lukassen Western Colorado University
Kerry McCawley Metropolitan State University of Denver
David Prado Arapahoe Community College
Chloe Price Metropolitan State University of Denver
Regina Razo Colorado State University
Brennan Rundio University of Colorado
Trinity Simmons Colorado Christian University
Ethan Smith Metropolitan State University of Denver
Brody Swenson Colorado School of Mines
Abel Tesfa Colorado State University
Talia Trujillo University of Northern Colorado
Irene White Community College of Aurora
Nathan Wright Colorado School of Mines
THE GUILD
Francis Ntumy University of Northern Colorado
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2021-2022 The Guild is always proud to award scholarships to high school seniors and college students who are current patients at the BDC. Applications for the 2021-22 school year will be available in February 2021. Patients who are college or trade school bound will be notified regarding applications. If you do not receive information or have questions, please contact Miriam Andolini at 303-628-5115 or email Miriam@ChildrensDiabetesFoundation.org.
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COLLEGE AND TYPE 1 DIABETES by Paige Lindbloom
Going to college can be one of the highlights of a
person’s life. College is a time to reinvent yourself, explore independence, and learn lessons that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. There are so many thoughts going through your brain on that day of move in: how you are going to arrange your dorm room, what your roommate is going to be like, if that cute guy (or girl) across the hall is single, how you have SO MANY CLOTHES even though you swore you brought only half of your closet, and a million other things. But for those going to school with type 1 diabetes, there are things to deal with that would never cross the mind of another student. Those of us with type 1 have to think about all of the normal college things as well as where to put our supplies so we can access them easily, where to put our juice boxes so we can reach it in the middle of the night, how to talk with our roommate about how to save our life if need be, and so much more. What is supposed to be this fun and exciting time for move-in, is now way more complicated, and even scary, for those trying to manage type 1 one their own. In college, I was an athlete, a Resident Assistant, a Student Senator, and an Admissions Assistant. From these experiences, I have learned what to do and what not to do as both a student and someone with type 1 diabetes.
FOR STUDENTS DO Explain what type 1 diabetes is and what you need to be safe to roommates, coaches, friends, your RA, etc. Set clear boundaries and explain that no matter how drunk someone is or how thirsty they are, if they drink your juice it could kill you. (Sorry to be so dramatic but hey, it’s true!) DON'T Take over the whole fridge “because you’re type 1.” Be courteous, be respectful, and don’t overstep. Remember, your roommate is going through a big change too and they are figuring out their new experience right along side you! DO Have a cheat sheet somewhere nearby with your doctor’s information (for prescriptions), a copy of your insurance information (in case you lose the original card), and whatever other emergency contact information you might need.
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DON'T Write down your social security number, your first pet’s name, the street you grew up on, etc. in any place that can be easily accessed. You never know who can come across that information! DO Communicate with your Resident Assistant (RA) about your type 1 diabetes. Make sure they know what to do in case of a low/high blood sugar and what assistance you may need if there is an emergency. DON'T Try to make the RA into an extra parent or ask them to follow you on your CGM app. You are an adult now and as helpful as your RA can be, they are students too! They are going through a ton and as much as they are willingly to help you and make sure you are safe, there can be hundreds of other students they are having to help too.
FOR PARENTS DO Communicate with your student about their type 1 care. Whether they were diagnosed as a child or recently before college, run through your plan of action and make sure they know what to do and who to call. It will make you both sleep easier.
Despite all of the challenges those with type 1 diabetes face, college is an exciting and fun time that helps prepare you for the future. It doesn’t matter if you change your major seven times or if you make a ton of mistakes; all that matters is that you learn from your experiences and prepare yourself for a life of adventure.
DON'T Make it all about type 1! Talk to your child about classes, stress, and relationships but remember, diabetes isn’t the only thing that can present a challenge in their life. If you constantly ask, they might stop communicating with you altogether. DO Make sure your t1d student has the resources and help on campus to succeed. This can be the ADA accommodations, doctor’s numbers, supply re-order information, etc. DON'T Stop the RA on move-in day to discuss your type 1 student, ask them to follow your child’s blood sugars on an app, or demand special attention. You need to trust that you have raised your child to succeed on their own and that have shown them what they need to do to be safe. No one on campus has time on move-in day for super in-depth questions and inquiries regarding one student. There is enough going on! Make sure your student understands how important it is to have these conversations and then trust them to have those chats on their own time.
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DIABETES NEWS
ARTIFICIAL PANCREAS EFFECTIVELY CONTROLS TYPE 1 DIABETES IN CHILDREN AGE 6 AND UP by Kelsea Pieters, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center
A clinical trial at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center and three other pediatric diabetes centers in the United States has found that a new artificial pancreas system — which automatically monitors and regulates blood glucose levels — is safe and effective at managing blood glucose levels in children as young as age six with type 1 diabetes. The trial was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. Results from the trial were published August 26 in the New England Journal of Medicine. The artificial pancreas, also known as closed-loop control, is an “all-in-one” diabetes management system that tracks blood glucose levels using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and automatically delivers the insulin when needed using an insulin pump. The system replaces reliance on testing by fingerstick or CGM with delivery of insulin by multiple daily injections or a pump controlled by the patient or caregiver. The study enrolled 101 children between ages 6 and 13 and assigned them to either the experimental group, which used the new artificial pancreas system or to the control group which used a standard CGM and separate insulin pump. Check-ins and data collection were conducted every other week for four months. Study participants were instructed to continue about their daily lives so that the researchers could best understand how the system works in the typical routines of the children. The study found that youth using the artificial pancreas system had 7% improvement in keeping blood glucose in range during the daytime, and a 26% improvement in nighttime control compared to the control group. Nighttime control is of particular importance for people with type 1 diabetes, as severe, unchecked hypoglycemia can lead to seizure, coma or even death. The overall time-in-range goal for the artificial pancreas reflected a nearly 11% improvement, which translated to 2.6 more hours per day in range. “The improvement in blood glucose control in this study was impressive, especially during the overnight hours, letting parents and caregivers sleep better at night knowing their kids are safer,” said protocol chair R. Paul Wadwa, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. “Artificial pancreas technology can mean fewer times children and their families have to stop everything to take care of their diabetes. Instead, kids can focus on being kids.” Sixteen adverse events, all classified as minor, occurred in the artificial pancreas group during the study, with most due to problems with the insulin pump equipment. Three events occurred in the control group. No cases of severe hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis occurred during the study.
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The artificial pancreas technology used in this study, the Control-IQ system, has an insulin pump that is programmed with advanced control algorithms based on a mathematical model using the person’s glucose monitoring information to automatically adjust the insulin dose. This technology was derived from a system originally developed at the University of Virginia (UVA), Charlottesville, with funding support from NIDDK. This four-month study was part of a series of trials conducted in the International Diabetes Closed-Loop (iDCL) Study. In addition to CU and UVA, study sites included Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California; and Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut. Jaeb Center for Health Research served as the data coordinating center.
DIABETES NEWS
“For decades, NIDDK has funded research and technology development to create a user-friendly automated device that could ease the constant burden of type 1 diabetes, from the finger sticks and insulin injections, to the insulin dose calculations and constant monitoring while improving diabetes control outcomes and preventing both short- and long-term complications of the disease,” said Arreaza-Rubín. “The artificial pancreas is a culmination of these years of effort, and it’s exciting to see how this technology may benefit children with type 1 diabetes and their families, and hopefully benefit everyone with diabetes in the future.”
Based on data from the iDCL trials, Tandem Diabetes Care has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use of the Control-IQ system in children as young as age six. “As we continue to search for a cure for type 1 diabetes, making artificial pancreas technology that is safe and effective, such as the technology used in this study, available to children with type 1 diabetes is a major step in improving the quality of life and disease management in these youth,” said NIDDK Director Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers. The iDCL Study is one of four major research efforts funded by NIDDK through the Special Statutory Funding Program for Type 1 Diabetes to test and refine advanced artificial pancreas systems. The studies, with additional results forthcoming, are looking at factors including safety, efficacy, user-friendliness, physical and emotional health of participants, and cost. This study was funded by NIDDK through grant UC4DK108483 and Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Tandem also provided the experimental closed-loop systems used in the trial, system-related supplies including the Dexcom CGM and Roche glucometer, and technical expertise.
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HOW TO SUPPORT CDF The effects of this pandemic have been felt around the world and our diabetes community is no exception. In a normal year, about 40% of patients at the Barbara Davis Center are uninsured or underinsured and need additional assistance from one of our support programs. This year, that percentage is on the rise as parents lose their jobs and insurance. The need we face is great and our work would not be possible without your support. Below are a few ways you can help support our mission and keep us moving forward with no extra money out of your pocket. On the following page are even more ways to help if you are in a position to make a contribution. We understand that these are difficult circumstances and many of us are faced with an unfamiliar reality when it comes to employment, housing, or healthcare. We only ask for your support if you are able, and we appreciate any contribution, great or small.
One of the easiest and most frequent ways to support CDF is through the King Soopers Community Rewards program. When you log-in to www.KingSoopers.com, click My Account and choose Community Rewards. You’ll have the opportunity to select Children’s Diabetes Foundation as your preferred charity, then every time you scan your Soopers Card at checkout, a portion of your purchase is donated to CDF at no extra cost to you. You only need to set the charity preference one time, then you’re automatically supporting CDF every time you run out of coffee creamer or stock up on PB&Js for the week.
VOLUNTEERING
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Amazon Smile is another simple way to help CDF when you’re doing your regular shopping anyway. Start your next Amazon visit at Smile.Amazon.com (leave off the “www.”) and choose the Children’s Diabetes Foundation as your preferred charity partner. Then Amazon donates a percentage of your eligible purchase to CDF every time you check out, and it doesn’t cost you anything extra. Amazon Smile has all the same items at all the same prices as Amazon.com – in fact, it’s the same website, it just triggers the automatic donation (at Amazon’s expense) when you checkout. If you forget to start at Smile.Amazon.com, the regular site will sometimes prompt you to switch over, but it’s best to change your bookmark or favorite to start at Smile.Amazon.com every time.
Volunteering is a great (and free!) way to help CDF move our mission forward. Due to COVID-19 precautions, we have scaled back our in-person events or moved many of them to virtual events for the time being, so we have few volunteer positions available. However, we don’t expect that to be the case forever and we will need your help to get back in the groove as events pick back up. Visit www.ChildrensDiabetesFoundation.org/volunteer to sign up now and we’ll reach out when we have a good opportunity available. Our volunteers are an amazing team and we appreciate all you do!
MAKE A DONATION Making a monetary donation of any size is an incredible gesture to support our work in the fight against type 1 diabetes. Whichever way you choose to give, we are ready to make it as easy as possible. You can call our office Monday-Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM (MT) at 303-863-1200 to make a donation over the phone. If you prefer to write a check, you can send mail to Children’s Diabetes Foundation, 4380 South Syracuse Street, Suite 430, Denver, CO 80237. Of course, giving online is as easy as ever and you can donate quickly and securely at www.ChildrensDiabetesFoundation.org/donate. You can even make your donation in memory of a loved one or in honor of a friend or special occasion, like Mrs. Barbara Davis’s 90th birthday or the 40th anniversary of the BDC this year.
RECURRING GIFTS Turning your donation into a weekly, monthly, or quarterly recurring gift is a great way to compound smaller amounts into an even greater impact. It’s not always easy to make a single donation of $250, but spread out over a year, it’s about $20 each month. Set up a donation to occur every other week on payday, or every 3 months when you sit down to look at the household budget. Recurring gifts process automatically, so you don’t need to ask yourself, “Did I mail in my check this month?” Check out the options at www.ChildrensDiabetesFoundation.org/donate and see what frequency makes the most sense for you.
EMPLOYER MATCHING Did you know that many companies offer donation matching programs for their employees? When you make a donation to support CDF, your company might be able to match that gift, double it, or even triple it in some cases. Usually the best way to find out more is to talk to your Human Resources representative at work and see what programs they offer. And if they don’t have a matching plan in place, ask them why not! This is an easy way to multiply your impact to CDF with no extra money out of your pocket. Some companies even have programs for automatic payroll deductions where you dedicate a small amount from each paycheck to donate without having to think twice.
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FOUNDATION NEWS
THE SPRING BRASS RING GOES VIRTUAL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS 42 YEAR HISTORY The 2020 Spring Brass Ring looked a little different than luncheons from previous years. Although we missed being in person with you for a luncheon and fashion show; this year’s program proved the show must go on and our advocates don’t stop for anything! Dominic Garcia, Morning News Anchor for CBS4, emceed our live virtual event held on the evening of September 9th at 6 p.m. The virtual event featured an online silent auction and opened the week before the event that featured exclusive experiences, exciting travel packages, sports memorabilia, wine pull, and restaurant gift cards! The online auction also included preloved jewelry and handbags from Jewels For Hope and Handbags For Hope all donated to raise funds for patient programs at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes (BDC). Our program started the night with a wonderful prayer from CDF Advocate Christian Dana, a remarkable young man that has been living with type 1 diabetes for 5 years. Christian prayed for those living with type 1 and the daily struggles they endure. He prayed for the friends and family that take care of patients and asked for a cure to be found. Christian was followed by the opening remarks of our 2020 Guild President, Lisa Corley, who stated. “The global pandemic has upended our daily routines and way of life. Through it all, the Children’s Diabetes Foundation (CDF), The Guild, and the Barbara Davis Center have shown tremendous dexterity and resilience. Under the most challenging of conditions, we continue to treat our patients, support our programs, and advance the frontiers of knowledge through our research. We continue true and steadfast to our mission.” Lisa continued on with introducing The Guild Historian, Judy McNeil, who shared the rich history of The Guild that started in 1978. The Guild has continued to grow and flourish and is one of the few remaining Guild groups actively operating in Denver today. Did you know that over 85% of type 1 children living in Colorado are seen at the BDC? Dr. Robert Slover, Director of Pediatrics at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, shared just how devastating it can be for families with children diagnosed with type 1, and the cost these families are burdened with. He spoke about how living with type 1 is 24 hours, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year disease. Dr. Slover also spoke about the Helping Hand Program that provides children with the supplies, education, and care they need. Currently, 45% of patients are underinsured with 35% living below the poverty line. This percentage is growing with the current pandemic, yet no patient is ever turned away at the Barbara Davis Center.
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In addition to the care our doctors and nurses provide, our social workers and staff provide counseling and dietician services, they help our patients fight for insurance benefits, they help our patients manage sick days, they help navigate the complicated world of technology . . . they MAKE A DIFFERENCE BEWEEN SIMPLY SURVIVING . . . and actually THRIVING!
Next we heard from Dr. Polsky who shared the difference that the Helping Little Hands Program makes for type 1 moms who cannot afford the clinical care for a healthy pregnancy. There are many complications that can arise for not only the baby but also the mother without the care needed. Donations to this program can help these mom’s get the proper care they need for a healthy pregnancy. The pregnancy clinic has grown 42% in the past five years and continues to grow year after year. Lastly, our night concluded with a wonderful video from Uchenna Nwosu, Linebacker for the LA Chargers football team, who was scheduled to be with us in person. Uchenna had the great privilege of introducing our true heroes of the night – the CDF Advocates who all submitted their own catwalk to bring you a virtual fashion show showing us all that even among the challenges of COVID the show must go on! This year’s virtual event was a huge success. If you missed the live broadcast, you can watch the replay at any time at www. childrensdiabetesfoundation.org/event/2020-spring-brass-ring. Many thanks go to this year’s sponsors! Your dedication and support made Spring Brass Ring possible this year possible and we greatly appreciate your generosity. Our Premiere Sponsors are The Crazy Merchant Inc., Toby Pippin and Dr. Marty Tingelhoff. Thank you to our Official Media Sponsor Colorado Expression and Media Partners CBS4 and KBCO. For up-to-date details about 2021’s Spring Brass Ring Luncheon & Fashion Show, follow the Children’s Diabetes Foundation on social media.
FOUNDATION NEWS
We got to hear firsthand how the BDC makes a difference in the lives of the families from our Advocate Family – Jason, Beth, and Frankie Hodgson. They shared Frankie’s story from diagnosis to the vibrant little girl she is now.
EMMA'S RAILROAD SPIKES This year is Emma McCoy's 4th diaversary and also the 40th anniversary of the Barbara Davis Center, so Emma wanted to give back and help others while having fun. With the help in selling her hand-painted railroad spikes from many friends and family, Emma was able to raise $1,000 in less than six months! As hand painted spikes are being mailed all across the United States, Emma has more than doubled her original $500 goal and orders are still coming in! Thank you for your support, Emma and great job!
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FOUNDATION NEWS
RUN FOR THE RING 2020 The 6th Annual Run for the Ring presented by Empower Retirement went
virtual for 2020! This year, instead of running together at the beautiful University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; patients, loyal supporters, and running enthusiasts can run in their neighborhood or on their favorite path. A big thank you all our fundraising individuals and teams this year whose dedication to fundraising for the Run for the Ring helped raise funds for clinical care, diabetes supplies, food insecurity relief, and assisting families in need. Team Christian was our largest fundraiser with more than $1,330 in donations honoring their type one hero – Jeremiah Renfrow. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Empower Retirement, and their team that was out running on race day! A special thanks to Runners Roost for donating the two $100 gift certificates that participants had the chance to win! The Children’s Diabetes Foundation featured special race coverage on all our social media accounts with special guest videos and posts throughout the day. Thank you to all our special guests who made videos. • • • • • •
Katie Grassby, Run For The Ring Chairman Paige Tremble who sang the National Anthem Dr. Sarit Polsky from the Helping Little Hands Program Lisa Lobato and Ally Rooney from Empower Retirement Team McKenna Deatherage, CDF Advocate, age 12 Amelia Lukassen, 2020-2021 Charlotte Tucker Scholarship Recipient
Teams were a huge hit this year with 17 race groups that participated from all over the country. We even had participants in India this year! A special thanks to our Run for the Ring Chairman Katie Grassby, your tireless effort and dedication to make this event a success is unparalleled. Thank you to our committee: Christy Alberts, Lisa Corley, Michael Cornell, Lori Finch, Sue Finger, Kate Frost, Julie Jimenez, Kimberly Miller, Brenda Neyman, Kathleen Pirazzi, Mahri Reed, Jan M. Rosen, Stacey Rust, Lyn Schaffer
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presents: Mrs. Barbara Davis’s 90th Birthday Celebration & the 40th Anniversary of the Barbara Davis Center
An Evening With: Cynthia Erivo · Tony Bennett · Andrea Bocelli · Josh Groban Gladys Knight · Adam Lambert · Barry Manilow Dionne Warwick and more!
Register for your free Virtual Spot at CarouselOfHope.org Streaming exclusively online at PEOPLE.com Saturday, October 10, 2020
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Celebrating 40 years of type 1 diabetes care at the Barbara Davis Center
ColoradoGives.org/CDF 20
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HELP SPARK SOME END-OF-YEAR
CHEER Join us in sponsoring families and children living with type 1 diabetes this holiday season! et Targ d Car Gift
Snow Angel $40 - gift for 1 child Super Snowman $80 - gifts for 2 kids Rocking Reindeer $120 - gifts for 3 kids Holiday Hero $200 - gifts for a family of 5 Gobble It Up $50 - assistance for 1 meal Extra Stuffing $100 - assistance for 2 meals
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gS Gif ooper tC ard s
Donate at ChildrensDiabetesFoundation.org/holiday-assistance or mail your check payable to The Guild of CDF to Holiday Assistance Program 4380 S. Syracuse Street Suite 430 Denver, CO 80237
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Children’s Diabetes Advisory Board Members and Guild Presidents THE GUILD PRESIDENTS:
ADVISORY BOARD:
Founding President, Amy Davis Mrs. Gina Abou-Jaoude Mrs. Christy Alberts Mrs. Jamie Angelich Mrs. Karen Aylsworth Mrs. Linda Broughton Mrs. Tangy Buchanan Mrs. Joy Burns Dr. Bonita Carson Mrs. Lisa Corley Mrs. Nancy Cowee Mrs. Dalyla Creaghe Mrs. Norma D’Amico Ms. Donna Douglas Mrs. Margy Epke Mrs. Chris Foster Mrs. Helenn Franzgrote Mrs. Sally Frerichs Mrs. Debbie Gradishar Mrs. Helen Hanks Mrs. Georgia Imhoff Mrs. Marty Jensen Mrs. Gail Johnson Mrs. Sharon Kamen Mrs. Janet Knisely Mrs. Cheryl Lebsock Mrs. Shelley Lucas Mrs. Suzy Love Mrs. Judy McNeil Mrs. Sally Newcomb Mrs. Barb Oberfeld Mrs. Gretchen Pope Mrs. Carol Roger Mrs. Kay Stewart Mrs. Diane Sweat Ms. Charlotte Tucker Mrs. Loretta Tucker Mrs. Melissa Tucker Mrs. Jane Weingarten
Sir Michael Caine Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Daly The Honorable Diana DeGette, U.S. House of Representatives, Colorado Mr. Neil Diamond Mr. Placido Domingo Mr. John Elway Mr. David Foster Mr. Kenny G Mr. David Geffen Mr. Magic Johnson Mr. Quincy Jones Ms. Sherry Lansing Mr. Jay Leno Mr. Paul Marciano Mr. Mo Ostin Sir Sidney Poitier Mr. Lionel Richie Mrs. Adrienne Ruston Fitzgibbons Mr. George Schlatter Ms. Maria Shriver Ms. Brenda Richie Ms. Barbera Thornhill Miss Joan van Ark Mr. Gary L. Wilson Mr. Stevie Wonder See complete list at ChildrensDiabetesFoundation.org
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Join CDF's Digital Support Group! Our new Digital Support Group is an opportunity for you to connect with others living with type 1, learn from BDC doctors and experts, ask questions, all while in the comfort and safety of home. Register now to receive the next meeting invitation:
ChildrensDiabetesFoundation.org/support-groups
Children’s Diabetes Foundation 4380 South Syracuse Street Suite 430 Denver, CO 80237 www.childrensdiabetesfoundation.org 24