SAN ANTONIO — For parents with children who have type 1 diabetes they have many hurdles to overcome. And type 1 diabetes can affect anybody at any age.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation recently changed their name to Breakthrough T1D. One of the big reasons for the change is to spread awareness that it isn't just a kid's disease.
Machell Day, a board member with Breakthrough T1D said, "As time has progressed, we are progressing with the times and allowing people to know that it's not just children that have type one diabetes and we can serve everyone, not just children."
Some common diabetes myths...
It is your fault your child has diabetes: We now know it is an autoimmune disease.
Children with diabetes can never have sweets: They can. They just need to monitor insulin and carbs carefully.
Kids with type 1 diabetes are in the hospital all of of the time or feeling sick: Most cases of diabetes are followed on an outpatient basis.
And finally the big one, only kids can get type 1 diabetes: Day added, "Anyone at any age can be diagnosed with type one diabetes, and we want to make everyone aware that that is, it is not just in children and it does not go away."
That's why Breakthrough T1D has activities for all ages through their South Texas San Antonio Chapter. "We have a teen group. We have an adult group. And we have family meetups. We get together probably three to four times a month in different events. And so we are hitting all of the different types of families and things that we have. We are hoping to get some kid events coming up pretty soon," said Day.
Every Friday through the summer Breakthrough T1D holds summer Fridays, a chance for families and loved ones to get together and be active. And don't forget about Walk San Antonio, the annual walk with the eventual goal to end the disease.
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