St. Mary students raise money for diabetes research

They were encouraged to wear jeans and wear blue if a free-will donation was brought in. Blue is the designated color for diabetes.

The proceeds will be given to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

St. Mary’s Student Council representatives came up with the idea as November is diabetes awareness month.  One of St. Mary’s teachers, a Student Council sponsor, has Type 1 diabetes.

Two of the more common types of diabetes — a metabolic condition characterized by elevated blood glucose (sugar) — are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.  Type 2 diabetes is a condition that affects the way the body process blood sugar and Type 1 is a condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin (to help regulate blood sugar).

In addition to a St. Mary’s teacher, two students also have Type 1 diabetes.  All three of them have a continuous blood glucose monitoring system and an Omnipod which provides nonstop insulin delivery through a tubeless, waterproof pump called a pod.

The continuous monitoring system results in very few finger sticks and the Omnipod eliminates multiple daily insulin injections.

Teacher Michelle Sarabia said this allows her to live somewhat of a more normal life.  One student said she likes the Omnipod because it gives the insulin automatically and she does not have to get shots. Another student, Emma Trendowski, said the Dexcom and Omnipod mean less finger sticks and less insulin shots. 

Several other staff members have experienced and witnessed changes as they have family members, such as a spouse, child or grandchild, with diabetes.

Research has made many advancements over the years and hopefully will continue to do so, making diabetes more manageable for people and possibly even a cure some day.

Students with diabetes at St. Mary School receive care and monitoring from registered nurse, Patti Miskus.