Olympic cross-country skier will make appearance at local Diabetes Camp

CEDAR RAPIDS – Joslin Diabetes Center at Mercy Medical Center is pleased to play a key role in offering eastern Iowa children with diabetes an opportunity to attend summer camp.  Diabetes Camp will be held July 10-15 at Camp Tanager, 1614 W. Mount Vernon Road, Mount Vernon.

For the past 23 years Diabetes Camp has provided children and adolescents with diabetes a safe and healthy environment in which to enjoy a variety of educational and recreational activities. While attending camp the children acquire a better understanding of their disease and have the opportunity to learn how diabetes does not have to limit their ability to live a normal, healthy life.

“It's just a great opportunity for children to enjoy a summer camp experience and, at the same time, meet other people their age who are living with diabetes, yet living a very normal life,” says Mercy diabetes educator Kate Ware.  “It gives them a sense of knowing they are not alone.”

One of the highlights of this year's Diabetes Camp is an appearance by Olympic cross-country skier Kris Freeman on Tues., July 12.  Freeman was an Olympic medal contender in the 2010 Winter Games. He was diagnosed in 2000 with Type 1 diabetes and has overcome great obstacles to compete at the Olympic level.

Children attending Tanager Place Diabetes Camp range in age from 7 to 13.  Campers will participate in games and activities such as swimming, archery, arts and crafts, camp fires and field games.

Comprised of medical professionals from both Cedar Rapids hospitals, Diabetes Camp has a 24-hour on-site physician and nursing staff in addition to diabetes educators, dietitians, and an abundant support staff.

About 58 children are expected to attend.  Camp Tanager's Diabetes Camp is one of just two diabetes camps in Iowa.

For more information on Diabetes Camp please contact Donald Pirrie, director of Camp Tanager, at 319-365-9164, or Kate Ware, diabetes educator at Mercy's Joslin Diabetes Center, at 319-533-9095.