Diabetes Association Inc. CONTACT:170 pleasant st Fall River, MA 02722 508-672-5671 www.diabetesma.orgEdward Garcia, Executive Director
DESCRIPTION:Diabetes has become a major public health problem in America, often associated with obesity. It has been known for some time that Bristol County has the highest rate of diabetes in Massachusetts, and recently ranked third highest in the United States. Thirty years ago—in 1978—parents of children newly diagnosed with Type 1 (Juvenile) diabetes, founded DAI to provide support, assistance, and prevention programs for diabetic children and their families. Over the years, DAI has become the leader in its field in southeastern Massachusetts. To help youngsters learn to manage their own treatment protocols, DAI started the only summer day camp in its region dedicated to educating and training diabetic children. Located on a 100-acre site in Rehoboth, it now serves 115 children ages 5-14 in summers, and 400 children and their families throughout the rest of the year. DAI annually benefits over 5,000 children, youth and adults, working with its network of schools and other community institutions to identify prospective clients. Clearly Bristol County needs a major offensive against diabetes, and this is the agency that will handle it—with your help. (2008: HUMAN SERVICES: Health & Aging)
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