THE CAROUSEL BALL

33RD ANNUAL CAROUSEL BALL SUPPORTS PATIENT CARE AND RESEARCH AT THE BARBARA DAVIS CENTER

On Saturday, October 19, 2019, the Children’s Diabetes Foundation hosted the 33rd annual Carousel Ball at the Hyatt Regency Denver. The elegant event was hosted by celebrity emcee Mario Lopez and featured a show-stopping performance by the one and only Reba McEntire. Attendees bid on more than 300 items in the silent auction including a trip to Hawaii and a Darth Vader mask autographed by James Earl Jones. Proceeds from the gala benefit the Children’s Diabetes Foundation and the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes.

During the program, CDF proudly presented Dr. Richard Abrams with this year’s Founders Award in recognition of the instrumental role he has played in advancing diabetes care over the past four decades, with special respect to pregnant women with diabetes. Dr. Abrams was introduced to the stage by Dr. Marian Rewers, Executive Director of the Barbara Davis Center and Professor of Pediatrics.

One of Dr. Abrams’ proudest accomplishments was his role in demonstrating that women with type 1 diabetes could become pregnant and safely deliver healthy babies thanks to contemporary diabetes care. He edited the first editions of the American Diabetes Association books Diabetes During Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes. He has also written and edited five medical books and numerous articles. Dr. Abrams commented that a highlight of his professional life has been serving on the CDF Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board for more than 30 years.

Following Dr. Abrams’ acceptance, Fundaneer Halie Behr took to the stage to kick off the evening’s live auction with packages including a vacation to Tuscany, tickets to the Ellen DeGeneres Show, and a golden pearl necklace from Trice Jewelers.

Leading into the fundraising portion of the program, attendees saw the short film, “Olivia’s Journey” produced by Silver Halide Pictures. The video followed the story of two-year-old Olivia from Dallas who finally found hope and adequate treatment at the Barbara Davis Center following her diagnosis with type 1 diabetes.

CDF also presented Lisa & Tom Corley with the High Hopes Tribute Award in honor of their 20 years of service and support of our Colorado community and the CDF. The Corleys were introduced by their longtime friend and CDF board member, Arlene Hirschfeld.

In her opening remarks, CDF Executive Director Dana Davis was delighted to honor two of Colorado’s most caring people. “I cannot think of a more giving and compassionate couple than the Corleys,” Dana said. “A true spirit of philanthropy radiates from within and is felt by all those around them.”

At the end of the evening, guests were treated to an outstanding performance by the Queen of Country Music, Reba McEntire. She performed tracks from her new gospel album as well as fan-favorites from her illustrious music career, including “Fancy” and “The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia.”

Money raised from the Carousel Ball is an important part of the funding support the Children’s Diabetes Foundation provides to the Barbara Davis Center. The event also helps raise awareness of type 1 diabetes and brings attention to the chronic autoimmune disease that effects more than 1.25 million Americans.

“We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from this amazing community,” said Dana Davis. “Together, we are supporting patients, raising awareness, and persevering towards a cure! I have to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for being here, for making a difference, and for supporting the millions of people with type 1 diabetes around the world who need your help.”

The 2019 Carousel Ball was made possible by our Lead Sponsor, Dexcom, our Gold Sponsors, Tina & Rick J. Caruso – The Grove and Iris & Michael Smith, and our Silver Sponsors, TheCorley Legacy Foundation, The Crazy Merchant, Inc., Empower Retirement, RBC Wealth Management, Viacom & Paramount Pictures, 5280 Magazine, and the Hyatt Regency Denver.

CAROUSEL BALL

300 miles southwest of Denver, near the New Mexico border, sits Durango, CO. But for a newly diagnosed type 1 patient, the 7-hour drive to the Barbara Davis Center might as well be to the far side of the moon. New-onset type 1 patients are already facing more than $20,000 in medical expenses in the first year, but add on the costs of fuel, time off work, plus lodging in Denver, and trips up to the BDC from Durango quickly become daunting.

Thanks to the ingenuity and determination of some incredible staff members who knew there had to be a better way, the Durango Outreach program of the Barbara Davis Center was born. Here’s a quick peek at how it all got started.

In the fall of 1978, Dr. Peter Chase from the BDC came down to Durango to meet with several patients and give a talk at Mercy Hospital about diabetes. At the time, there was no formal program for patients and families to learn about the disease. Anne Jensen, a pediatric nurse, took the opportunity to ask Dr. Chase many questions about diabetes, most memorably, which Clinitest was more accurate for measuring blood glucose levels: the 2-drop or 5-drop, referring to the urine tests used before the blood sugar meters of the 1980s and Continuous Glucose Monitors of today.

From there, Anne and her colleagues started reaching out to type 1 families using the BDC’s Pink Panther books. As Anne was at the BDC for some additional training with Arletta Swain-Cockrell in 1990, the outreach program sprung into life with the help of BDC staff including Dr. Philip Walravens, Sherry Harris, RN, CDE, and Rita (Temple-Trujillo) Hughes, a social worker, as well as Dr. Steve Lavengood from Durango Family Medicine and Tamra Lavengood, a Clinical Nurse Specialist from Mercy Hospital.

Dr. Walravens started making the journey down to Durango to meet with patients and families once per year. Dr. Lavengood, who knew Dr. Walravens from working at the ADA’s summer camp for kids, opened up space in his office for Dr. Walravens to begin the outreach clinic. As the program grew, visits became more frequent. Mercy Hospital’s CDEs (Certified Diabetes Educators), including Anne, Jane Hensen, RN, CDE, Marge Morris, RD, CDE, and Kim Ayres, RD, CDE helped the program grow and be recognized by the American Diabetes Association. Both Anne and Jane have donated time as medical staff at Colorado and New Mexico ADA summer camps for children with diabetes.

Dr. Walravens retired in 2002 and Dr. Robert Slover took over the reins of the outreach program, visiting Durango twice per year. About three years ago, the program started holding monthly telemedicine visits in facility space donated by the Pediatric Partners of the Southwest. During these appointments, patients can video chat with Dr. Slover and the team to review their care options and ask questions. They receive all the same care and attention as a regular visit to the BDC, but without the added time and expense of a trip to Denver.

This January, Anne Jensen is set to retire after 41 years as a pediatric nurse and CDE. Join us in thanking Anne for her amazing contributions to the Durango community and her hard work and dedication to the outreach program that has helped so many individuals. Working in the medical field in her small community, she has seen patients who were diagnosed as children, grew up to live happy and healthy lives, and are now having children of their own. Thank you, Anne, and congratulations on your retirement! We know the Durango Outreach program will continue on in your footsteps. PHOTOS (top to bottom)

Former Durango patients with one of their favorite diabetes educators, the Pink Panther!

Left to right: Dr. Walravens, Anne Jensen, RN, CDE, Grace Calvet, Jane Henson, RN, BSN, CDE, Brianna, Travis. Front: Rita Hughes (Temple-Trujillo)

Left to right: Anne Jensen, Dr. Philip Walravens, Sherry Harris, RN, and Tamra Lavengood, RN were all instrumental in setting up the Durango outreach program.

A young patient colored this in appreciation of Anne’s work.

Left to right: Kim Ayres, RD, CDE, Ann Christian-Dold, RN, CDE, Tamra Lavengood, RN, Marge Morris, RD, CDE, Jane Henson, RN, Anne Jensen, Dr. Robert Slover & Pediatric Partners of the Southwest staff.