The World is Turning Blue in Support of Type 1 Diabetes

By Children’s Diabetes Foundation

Diabetes insulin — A Type 1 Prepares His Insulin Shot.

You probably know someone with diabetes. You may tell your kids to not drink a soda, eat a candy bar, or laze around because you don’t want them to get diabetes. But there are multiple kinds of diabetes with different causes. Do you know these common misconceptions?

November is Diabetes Awareness Month and throughout the month, the Children’s Diabetes Foundation is debunking the myths about type 1 diabetes and making diabetes visible with their blue shirt to raise awareness.

The facts may surprise you…

Type 1 diabetes is NOT caused by eating too much sugar or not exercising

Diabetes Pump — A Type 1 Shows Off Her Continuous Glucose Monitor, Which Tests Her Blood Sugar Every 5 Minutes.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, which means the person did nothing to cause their diagnosis. Their body stopped producing insulin, which regulates the amount of sugar in the blood. Sometimes type 1 diabetes is genetic, but not always. Many cases do not have a history of type 1 diabetes in their family.

Diabetes can be diagnosed at ANY age

Type 1 diabetes used to be called childhood or juvenile diabetes. This changed years ago because doctors and researchers have learned that a diagnosis can happen at any age, from infants to seniors. Fifty percent of people diagnosed today are over 18 years old.

Catching a Diagnosis Early Can Be the Difference Between Life and Death

Be on the lookout for these symptoms:

Extreme Thirst
Frequent Urination
Bedwetting
Weight Loss
Fatigue
Irritability
Sudden Vision Changes
Fruity Odor on the Breath

Type 1 diabetes can NOT be cured by diet or exercise

Diabetes Blood Sugar — Type 1 Patient Tracks His Blood Sugar Every Day with Diabetes Technology.

There is no cure for type 1 diabetes. Researchers continue to do stem cell research in hopes of finding a cure for the millions of people living with type 1 diabetes.

People with type 1 diabetes CAN eat sugar

And sometimes they need to eat/drink something sugary to stay alive. When blood sugars are too low, a type 1 must eat something to raise their blood sugar to avoid going unconscious, having a seizure, or even death.

Help Us Spread Awareness

Diabetes Blue — Blue Shirt for Diabetes Awareness.

Please help us spread awareness for type 1 diabetes this November by wearing a blue shirt or visiting/sharing www.ChildrensDiabetesFoundation.org/blue-world/

Please consider donating to the Children’s Diabetes Foundation on December 4th for Colorado Gives Day at https://www.coloradogives.org/CDF/.

The Children’s Diabetes Foundation is the fundraising arm of the Barbara Davis Center (BDC), one of the largest type 1 diabetes centers in the world. Funds go directly to support the BDC clinic, research, and programs. The Children’s Diabetes Foundation also has programs for education and awareness, support groups, financial support for type 1 families, an Advocate program, and more.