ADA Camp Celebration at the Chicago Wolves Hockey Game!

American Diabetes Association CAMP celebration at Chicago Wolves hockey game!

Hello again! I am really excited to write to you all again. My family and I just registered for the American Diabetes Association Expo in April.  This will be my first year attending the annual diabetes EXPO, so I am looking forward to all the events, discussions, and activities they have planned. My friend and I attended the Chicago Wolves game back in January for the diabetes association.  It was awesome to see the outpouring of supporting families that surrounded us.  The game was great-  I had a lot of fun and can't wait to go to another ADA sponsored event. When I attend these events, I feel so supported, and that there are so many kids that are affected by the same things as me. It just shows that we are never alone in this and there are so many people out there that support us.

  

 I just finished my school volleyball season, so I am finished with school sports for the rest of school year.  It is kind of strange coming home after school. But I decided to join a club volleyball team to continue playing. I still participate in basketball and softball as well- I just have to stay active all the time. I am very competitive- my friends say I am almost too competitive even for P.E, but that is just me!  Playing all these sports make me feel so grateful for having my wireless pump. I like the fact that I can constantly wear it and I don't get hooked on anything and it doesn't rip off that easily. It is so convenient and completely works well in my busy, active lifestyle.  My goal is to set a great example with all that I do and playing all these sports with diabetes makes me know that nothing can get in my way.

Introducing the 2015 Illinois Youth Ambassador

Back in 2010, our 2015 Illinois Youth Ambassador, Evelyn Evans, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just a few weeks before her 9th birthday. Evelyn, more commonly known as Evey, had begun to sleep more often, made more to the bathroom during the night and lost her appetite. Her mom was concerned and made an appointment with her pediatrician. After multiple lab tests, the results came in; Evey had type 1 diabetes. After being diagnosed, life for Evey was "somewhat difficult... but as time went on and a tremendous amount of support from family", she started getting used to her ‘new normal’.

Five years later, Evey has not let diabetes slow her down. She is a bubbly young lady who helps babysit kids with diabetes and collaborates with the Teen Task Force at Kovler. From the collaboration, she aspires to aid in the creation of a blog to host Q&A for teens with diabetes. When she isn't partaking in her duties 

as the American Diabetes Association Illinois Youth Ambassador, she spends her free time 

participating in sports such as volleyball, softball, basketball and soccer.

Long before taking on the responsibility of the Youth Ambassador, Evey has been involved with 

the Association. After attending Triangle D Camp for the first time in July of 2011, Evey couldn't 

believe how many other kids were just like her, and her confidence in diabetes care grew. She has 

had so much fun at camp, and it has had such a positive impact on her, she continues to attend 

Triangle D Camp. Evey says that "due to the Association having these large camp events I was 

able to know other children that were going through what I was...making me feel welcomed and 

understood".

In 5 years from now, Evey sees herself being even more involved with the Association and making 

a difference in people's lives on an even larger scale! Evey's outstanding energy coupled with her 

passion to help stop diabetes will lead her to a bright future. We are proud to have such a brave 

young lady be our 2015 American Diabetes Association Illinois Youth Ambassador.