Diabetes is a chronic disease with no cure that affects an estimated 23.6 million Americans. Since 1987, the death rate due to diabetes has increased by 45% and childhood diabetes has increased tenfold.

Thankfully, people with diabetes can take steps to control the disease and lower their risk of complications or premature death.

Texoma Health Foundation’s (THF) Diabetes Initiative provides scholarships to area children with diabetes so they can attend Camp Sweeney near Gainesville. The three-week diabetes camp provides fun activities, peer support, encouragement to live a healthy lifestyle and medically supervised management education.

THF’s Waterloo Race for Diabetes at Waterloo Lake Park in Denison is held annually to increase awareness and raise funds for our Diabetes Initiative. Funds raised are combined with income generated through the Berry Endowment created in memory of Jack and Kathleen Berry by their children. To learn more about how to donate to the Berry Fund, contact THF at 903-337-0755. For more information about diabetes, visit www.diabetes.org