Calendar to raise funds for Children with Diabetes Camp

This is intended to be the first of such publications for 2017 as part of its fundraising efforts, the release issued to media said.

The calendar features art pieces from primary school children throughout the country and from its diabetes camp for children. The calendar also contains local healthy recipes, diabetes educational information and the association’s annual events.

The release said, “For 2016, we decided to place a special focus on children, with our theme “Diabetes Prevention: It starts with the Child.” Children are now more vulnerable to develop Type II diabetes than ever before in human history.

In Trinidad and Tobago we have an estimated adult prevalence of all forms of diabetes between 15- 17 percent. We now have data that shows that around one third of our children are either overweight or obese and are well on the way to becoming Type two diabetic if interventions are not taken. Type I diabetes (T1DM) is also becoming more prevalent in Trinidad, however, many people are not aware of the characteristics of this form of diabetes.” The release noted that there are over 100 children in TT living with Type I diabetes and close to 500 adults.

It is the association’s hope that the camp aids the improvement of the lives of children in TT living with diabetes.

The association noted that at the end of the camp, held annually at around July, “the children are better able to self-monitor, inject insulin and plan appropriate meals which set them on a path to longer and happier lives.” Usually children living with Type 1 diabetes have a hard time adjusting to the pace of life among healthy children.

The association said the greatest triumph of the camp is the development of friendships spanning across age groups and geography.

The calendar is being sold at $20 per copy and distributed at the association’s 18 branches as well as all Superpharm branches.