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Hike for Mike, and Beyond
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Angie Leszczak
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Neighbors
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09.11.08
Diabetes is a very serious disease.
According to a 2007 report from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in 2006. About 186,300 people under the age of 20 have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is taking a lead in the research for the cure of juvenile/type 1 diabetes.
Here in New Lenox, one family has taken diabetes and turned it from being a burden on their family to finding a solution for the future.
Michael Dybala, 13, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just before entering the first grade.
Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which the body produces no insulin. Type 1 diabetes was previously known as juvenile diabetes because it was diagnosed at a young age, but it is not exclusively a childhood problem.
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Michael had many warning signs that alerted his mom, Anne Marie, that something was wrong. Anne Marie realized later that the signs were symptoms of diabetes. Obvious problems she recognized were his constant trips to the washroom, his never-ending thirst and his inability to gain weight.
One of the symptoms that Anne Marie did not attribute to any health problem was Michael's crankiness. The crankiness vanished once his blood sugar level was balanced.
"Michael is so good natured now," Anne Marie said.
After receiving Michael's diagnosis and prognosis, Anne Marie said, "It was a total shock."
There is no history of diabetes on either side of the family, she said.
Michael was in the hospital for several days while he was being diagnosed. After monitoring, treating and stabilizing his condition, Michael was sent home with his family. Anne Marie was overwhelmed.
Doctors recommended allowing Michael to do as much of the blood sugar level testing and administration of insulin as he could. The doctors explained this was necessary because Michael would be dealing with the disease for the rest of his life. Anne Marie felt helpless because she had no prior knowledge of dealing with type 1 diabetes.
Michael is now in eighth grade at Martino Junior High School in New Lenox. He is involved with the school's soccer and basketball teams. He has a very good outlook on life, Anne Marie said. He doesn't let diabetes hold him back.
"I think of it as another aspect of life to handle," Michael said about his diabetes. "I need to constantly work at it and get better at controlling it."
Michael realizes how serious diabetes is. He does necessary testing, watches what he eats and monitors his blood sugar levels.
"He does everything himself," his mom said.
Michael is currently using an insulin pump as well as taking insulin shots. The insulin pump keeps his blood sugar level even throughout the day.
"Having the pump has made a huge difference," Anne Marie said.
Michael also needs to take additional shots when he eats.
A daily routine for Michael consists of checking his blood sugar level first thing in the morning. He then has to count the carbohydrates he consumes throughout the day and administer insulin to match the carbohydrates.
The pump can be a little restricting since it cannot get wet. When Michael goes swimming, he needs to be mindful of the time so he can check his blood sugar level at regular intervals.
He also can't use the pump while playing sports. After he's done playing, he has to test his blood sugar level immediately.
Once Michael was diagnosed with diabetes, Anne Marie sought out the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for information.
JDRF armed Anne Marie and Michael with information and knowledge that educated them about this disease. With literature, lectures, counseling and camps, Anne Marie and Michael realized that diabetes is manageable. The future started to look brighter.
With JDRF's help and support, Anne Marie soon realized she wanted to do something in return. She decided she would host fund-raisers, with 100 percent of the money going directly to the JDRF.
For the last seven years Anne Marie has held an annual garage sale. With help from friends, family and neighbors, Anne Marie is able to raise approximately $2,000 per garage sale for the foundation.
"How much time I put into the garage sale, depends on what we get out of it," Anne Marie said.
She said that people are very generous about contributing items to the garage sale.
Michael participates in the garage sales by selling Dippin' Dots ice cream.
Other fund raising ideas Anne Marie has put into action are Carson's Community Day Sale Cards which she sells. (see http://gift.carsons.com)
She also utilizes the Jewel Shop and Share Community program. The combination of these two fund raisers brings in about $500 per year for the JDRF.
Michelle Hermann of New Lenox, a friend of Anne Marie's, runs the Chicago Marathon and also raises money for JDRF. Hermann raises about $2,000 in donations annually, with all proceeds going directly to JDRF.
JDRF also hosts an annual walk, called the Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes, in which Anne Marie and Michael participate. The Dybala's have titled their fund raising part of the walk as "Hike for Mike."
This year the JDRF walk celebrates its 30th anniversary and the event will be held on Sunday, Oct. 5 at five Chicago-area locations. Ron Santo is a baseball player who played most of his professional career with the Chicago Cubs. See www.jdrfillinois.org/walk/walk.html for more information.
Over the past seven years, Anne Marie said she has raised $35,000 for JDRF.
"I would fund raise full time if I could," she said.
"I felt so alone and overwhelmed when Michael was diagnosed with diabetes," Anne Marie said, sharing advice for parents who have children with diabetes. "You need to read, learn and get involved in support groups."
If you would like to donate items for the Dybala's annual garage sale, or sponsor someone in the walk, please contact Anne Marie at dybala@ameritech.net. If you would rather make a cash donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, please see their Web site at www.jdrf.org, e-mail Illinois@jdrf.org or call 312-670-0313.
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