SpringfieldNewsSun.com

URBANA — When people think of diabetes, children likely aren't the first thing to come to mind.

But even at a young age, children in Clark and Champaign counties can be afflicted with the disease. For the first time, and maybe the last, the Clark-Champaign Diabetes Association is offering two scholarships for local children to attend the Ko-Man-She Camp at Camp Willson in Bellefountaine.

For the most part, Ko-Man-She is just like any camp. The kids ride horses, paddle canoes and swim. What's different is that all the kids in the camp, including most of the counselors, have diabetes. The kids are allowed to meet other students with the disease and learn how to eat right, exercise and administer insulin on their own.

"They get to grow and learn that diabetes is not that restrictive of a disease," said Nora Koman, an event planner for the Dayton Area Diabetes Association.

About 90 students, ages 8 to 16, attended camp last year. This year, the goal is 100 students, Koman said.

The camp costs about $400, and although financial aid is available for those who might need it, the Clark-Champaign Diabetes Association raised enough money to send two area children to the camp for free from July 6 through 12.

Much of the money was raised through a garage sale, but the association also received a $100 donation for the scholarships, said Russel Yeley, president of the association.

While providing the normal experiences of camp, the students also could benefit from learning about the disease, he said.

Diabetes has claimed the lives of Champaign County residents at a rate of 46.1 per 100,000 people, according to the Champaign County Health Department. That is higher than the state's average of 29.7 percent per 100,000 people.

The health department conducts community outreach programs and offers support groups to fight the trend.

"There's a lot of questions that a young kid will have who's newly diagnosed," Yeley said.

This also may be the last time the association is able to offer the scholarships, because little money is available and organizing the yard sale this year was difficult, Yeley said.

"The money just isn't coming in like it used to," he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355

or msanctis@coxohio.com.

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