Diabetes patients and their families enjoyed an activity-filled day at the annual Family Diabetes Day at the Bronx Zoo, hosted by the Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Division at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM).
Laurie E. Cohen, MD, Chief, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, and Professor, Pediatrics (Endocrinology and Diabetes), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, welcomed patients and their families and encouraged everyone to explore the zoo, enjoy the day and learn something about diabetes, too! Fun activities–including crafts, coloring pages, a photo-booth station, medical ID bracelet- and keychain-making, and a variety of puzzles–were available to patients and their families along with a healthy, delicious lunch. Participants had the chance to visit with vendors and diabetes organizations.
“Family Diabetes Day allows our patients and families to mingle with their clinical team in a nonclinical setting and meet other patients and families who are dealing with the same issues,” said Dr. Cohen. “And all while having a fun day at the zoo.”
The families also heard from CHAM patient Joseph Crawford, a teenager with type 1 diabetes who was a delegate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Children’s Congress in Washington, DC, and special guest Patrick Mertes, who is the first person living with type 1 diabetes to reach the summit of the highest peak in each of America’s 50 states in just 49 days. He did it as part of PROJECT 50-IN-50, which he co-founded to prove that anything is possible with type 1 diabetes. Mertes, who was diagnosed when he was nine years old, shared his story with the kids in attendance and showed them that incredible achievements are possible by successfully managing your health.
For more information, visit CHAM’s Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Division, or to schedule an appointment, call 718-741-2450.
