The purpose of the Andy Towne Memorial Endowment (ATME) is to support diabetes education, services and supplies to treat and prevent diabetes, and related health concerns, in our region. The cost of diabetic supplies often prevents many diabetics from appropriately managing their diabetes, which can lead to debilitating side effects. Money from the endowment will be used to purchase blood glucose testing supplies, medications, and other necessities. In the future our goal is to be able to offer the services of diabetic educators and dietitians to provide valuable information needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This year we are able sponsor two local kids by sending them to diabetic camp. Diabetes camps often have all the usual camp activities such as swimming, boating, archery, arts and crafts, and hiking. In addition the camps provide an education that helps kids learn how to manage their disease. For example, they may learn how to adjust their diet or insulin when exercising/playing a sport, or they may learn how to give themselves their own shots for the first time. Dr. Barbara Anderson, a senior psychologist at the Diabetes Care Center at Texas Children’s Hospital, says, “The primary benefit of diabetes camp is the connection among children with diabetes and other children and counselors who have diabetes. Camp can break down the isolation kids often feel." (http://www.diabetes.org)
