Date: Fri 11-Apr-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

diabetes-Ginny-Carroll

Full Text:

On The Track Of

A Cure For Diabetes

Ginny Carroll is lacing up her sneakers and making tracks toward a cure for

diabetes. She hopes other Newtown residents and business people will join her

on May 18 for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation's Walk For The Cure in New

Canaan. - Bee Photo, Zimmermann

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Ginny Carroll of Newtown knew there was diabetes in her family, but last July

the illness struck very close to home when her seven-year-old daughter, Erin,

was identified as one of the 16 million people in the United States who have

either Type 1 (juvenile) or Type 2 diabetes.

Since that time, Ginny has learned the importance of sharing information about

diabetes and working to help affect a cure, which medical experts think might

be only ten years away. This is why the Carroll family will be striding

through New Canaan on May 18 during Fairfield County Chapter of Juvenile

Diabetes Foundation's 10K Walk For The Cure.

"We found out [Erin had diabetes] accidentally. We thought she had a urinary

tract infection," said Ginny. "She may have actually had diabetes a couple of

years, but it wasn't progressing. We managed to catch it at an early age so

she never got sick."

In retrospect, Ginny and her husband, Kevin, realized there had been some

subtle symptoms - occasional mood swings and having no thirst. As soon as

diabetes was detected, Erin spent three days in Yale-New Haven Hospital while

her parents learned to take blood, give insulin injections, alter her diet,

and adjust to the idea of "fitting diabetes into their lives."

"Erin has to have one blood test in the morning, one before lunch, one before

dinner, and one before she goes to bed," said Ginny. "When she had a stomach

infection, I had to do a blood test every two hours to [track] the sugar level

in her system." She also requires two injections of insulin a day.

Ginny's grandmother, aunt, niece, and cousin all have the disease. But neither

Ginny nor any of her 11 older siblings seems to have been afflicted. "It

skipped a generation, as far as we know," she said.

"The more I talk about diabetes, the more I find out about it, and the more I

can help my daughter," said Ginny. "Erin has been very good - she has put up

with a lot of stuff. Kids don't like to be different from other kids. But when

she goes to the nurses to have a blood test before lunch, she sees other kids

there who have allergies and asthma. So she knows she may be different, but

she's not the only one with a chronic condition.

"Still, Erin asks how long she'll have to do the blood tests and injections.

It's hard to tell her that she will be doing them for the rest of her life,"

she said.

Diabetes affects the blood vessels and the heart, increasing the risk of heart

disease. It is also the leading cause of adult blindness and kidney disease in

North America. Type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed in people of any age. The

incidence of diagnosed diabetes by age in Connecticut is: about 15,000 under

40; 34,000 between 45 and 64; 23,600 between 65 and 74; and 14,800 over 75.

The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JFD) International was founded in 1970 by a

group of parents of diabetic children who were convinced that, through

research, diabetes could be cured. During the past two decades, the

organization has grown to be a voluntary health agency with a membership in

the tens of thousands and chapters through the United States and in 10 other

countries. Eighty-three percent of the funds raised goes directly to research,

said Ginny. Last year JDF awarded $17 million to diabetes research, bringing

its cumulative contribution to $118 million.

"The whole goal is to find a cure," said Ginny. JDF walks are held annually in

more than 80 cities, but only one is held in Fairfield County. Ginny hopes

enough individuals, families, civic and youth organizations, small businesses

and corporations from the Newtown area participate in the walk, so one could

be held in this area next year.

Teams and individuals are invited to walk May 18 beginning at 10 am at the New

Canaan High School. Walkers will walk through Waveny Park and the town of New

Canaan. Immediately after the walk, Diet Pepsi and Orangina will sponsor a

picnic for all participants. Local sponsors for the New Canaan walk include

Oxford Health Plans, Champion International, Bantle & Walker Investments,

Austin Nichols Soft Drink Company, and William Mercer. As a family event,

there will also be face-painting and other activities.

Anyone interested in participating in the walk, sponsoring a walker, selling

paper sneakers or posting registration forms at a business can contact Tara

Cruickshank at JFD in New Canaan, 203/972-1729. Ginny Carroll would like to

establish a network/support group for Newtowners who have diabetics in their

families; she can be reached at 426-9532.