Two Aurora University seniors, who hope to become doctors one day, want the community to start talking more about diabetes.
Hlawn Tlang and Blend Dalipi became interested in this disease that affects more than 30 million Americans after taking part in a research project in a health science class last year.
What they found from a local survey of 255 people is that 44% rarely talked about diabetes, 41% displayed poor and neutral attitudes about treatment and 75% were obese and overweight.
The numbers are revealing. But “now that we knew there was such a problem,” said Tlang, “we wanted to do more” than gather statistics.
And so, using their own money, she and Dalipi formed Healing Diabetes with the goal of educating the community about this disease many experts describe as an epidemic.
“We are not doctors, we don’t diagnose … we just are trying to raise awareness,” said Tlang of their efforts, which include an information-packed brochure and PowerPoint presentation that offers tips on how to prevent or manage diabetes as well as links to available resources.
In October, Tlang and Dalipi – along with translator Jatniel Morales Gomez – held their first awareness outreach at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Aurora, with plans to step up these efforts and their social media presence after the new year.
Although their club is still in its infancy, Tlang and Dalipi have gained the enthusiastic support of the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley, a grassroots nonprofit that share their passion: spreading the word about the dangers of uncontrolled blood sugar that can impact vision, heart, nerves, dental and kidneys.
And at its second annual gala held Friday at Lincoln Inn in Batavia, the club recognized the efforts of these two AU students, who were hailed by Diabetes Club of Fox Valley President Russ George for their enthusiasm and commitment to this cause.
The gala, attended by 110 guests, is one of two big fundraisers for the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley. Since its inception just three years ago the club has jumped from 15 to 70 members, and has donated over $27,712 to such groups as VNA Health Care, Fox Valley Special Recreation Association, ALS, Mutual Ground, Quilts of Valor and the University of Chicago Kovler Diabetes Center, which has received $15,000 from the club, including a $7,000 check presented at the gala.
Much emphasis has been put on research by the club, which is well aware of the exciting advancements that have been made in recent years because of research being done at Kovler and other centers, including cell biology, genetics/genomics and physiology.
There are also far less high-tech ways those with diabetes are receiving local support. For one young gala guest with type 1 diabetes, it has four paws and a wet nose.
Rev is a diabetic alert dog, made possible for third-grader Olive Schwerha through the Ron and Vicki Santo Foundation, with generous contributions from the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley and the Aurora Cosmopolitan Club, which also focuses on this disease.
Immediately after joining their Downers Grove family this summer, Rev alerted Olive’s mother Dani in the middle of the night that her daughter’s glucose pump had stopped working and her numbers were dangerously low.
“I trust him more than the technology,” Dani Schwerha told me, referring to the yellow lab which was also a well-behaved guest at the gala. “He saved my daughter’s life.”
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death both nationally and in Illinois, yet a third of people who have it don’t know it, George pointed out. Which is why he and the club – Diabetes Club of Fox Valley does regular meet and greets to raise awareness – are so supportive of Tlang and Dalipi.
“It is a wonderful experience working with them,” said the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley president, noting that, although he was not surprised by their project’s survey numbers, “I was amazed at the amount of information they had as a result of the interviews.”
And it gives him “hope that perhaps young people will become aware of the dangers of diabetes, begin to eat healthier and get plenty of exercise even if it’s only taking daily walks.”
For Tlang, the passion she and Dalipi feel about these efforts extends beyond the present.
“As future doctors we wanted to start a conversation about a health issue that is often overlooked,” she said.
“We feel so supported by this group. It lit the fire under us even more to keep doing what we are doing.”
dcrosby@tribpub.com
