Kids ‘n’ Us: Families Facing Diabetes Society

This month, we are excited to share about an important organization, Kids ‘n’ Us: Families Facing Diabetes Society. We encourage you to continue reading to find out more about their annual conference and the support they offer to individuals and families living with type 1 diabetes. 

About Kids ‘n’ Us  

Kids ‘n’ Us is a local non-profit organization in Alberta that hosts an annual conference designed to offer practical information and support to children, teenagers, parents, and caregivers dealing with type 1 diabetes (previously referred to as juvenile diabetes). 

Kids ‘n’ Us Conference 

The annual Kids ‘n’ Us Conference for parents, caregivers, families, and friends of children living with type 1 diabetes has been held in Edmonton since 1989. This is a full-day conference intended to provide practical information and support for those living and working with type 1 diabetes. Speakers and sessions focus on issues that pertain to families dealing with the daily challenges of living with type 1 diabetes. Information booths from various corporate, retail, and service sponsors display the latest equipment, supplies, and resources on the market. 

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is the autoimmune form of diabetes in which the body’s own immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing islet cells in the victim’s pancreas. The disease strikes quickly, at random, and primarily affects children. Unlike the more common type 2 diabetes, lifestyle issues play no known role in its cause. With type 1, the person is committed to the remainder of their life, enduring daily insulin injections and blood tests, and a strict schedule controlling nourishment, activity, and rest. 

As is usually the case, parents take on the primary burden of care for their children with long-term and life-threatening illnesses. For type 1 diabetes, this means that parents are responsible for calculating dosages and give injections typically 3-4 times per day and ensure that blood is tested a minimum of 4-8 times daily. If a child with diabetes becomes ill, insulin needs can change, and the situation can quickly become life-threatening. When this happens, parents are required to monitor the child around the clock with blood tests every 2-3 hours.   

In the past 5-10 years, technology has quickly evolved, and many people now have access to continuous glucose monitors to check blood sugar and pumps to deliver insulin. These innovations have reduced the burden on parents, caregivers, and those with T1D. However, as with all technology, there are times when historical treatments are necessary, so manual blood tests and injections must be constantly accessible. 

Unfortunately, here in Edmonton, there is no parent support group, and this conference is the only event in Alberta that brings together parents, caregivers, nurses, dieticians, physicians, and others who care for those with type 1 diabetes. In addition, there is a concurrent teens-only session providing information on how diabetes will impact common adolescent issues, including alcohol consumption, driving, and career options. 

Originally hosted by the Pediatric Diabetic Education Clinic of the University of Alberta Hospital, to continue this much needed support event the Kids ‘n’ Us: Families Facing Diabetes Society was formed by concerned family members, diabetes educators, and representatives of all four local diabetes-related charities: Breakthrough T1D (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Diabetes Canada (formerly the Canadian Diabetes Association), Alberta Diabetes Foundation (ADF), and Diabetes Research Institute Foundation Canada (DRIFCan). 

The Importance of the Kids ‘n’ Us Conference 

The goal of the conference is to assist families and caregivers of those diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in dealing with this chronic, life-threatening condition.   

Its key objectives include: 

• Educating caregivers on the critical nature of type 1 diabetes and the absolute necessity to follow the guidelines established by physicians. 

• Providing an opportunity for those with T1D, their family members, and support network to meet and exchange challenges and triumphs of living with type 1 iabetes. 

• Increasing awareness of the support and services available within the local and online community. 

• Introducing new treatment equipment, supplies, and resources. 

• Educating families and caregivers on current research towards a possible cure or advanced treatment. 

To co-ordinate better support to the diabetes community, Kids ‘n’ Us has formed working partnerships with two leading edge charities; DRIFCan and I Challenge Diabetes (ICD). Respectively, these represent the best in research towards a cure and year-round youth and family support initiatives. DRIFCan was established in 2005 to fund the Edmonton Protocol of islet cell transplantation for those with type 1 diabetes.  DRIFCan’s mission is to directly fund cure-based diabetes research conducted by Dr. James Shapiro and the team at the University of Alberta. You can learn more about their progress by clicking here. ICD is an amazing charity founded by Chris Jarvis, a former Canadian Olympic athlete living with type 1 diabetes. ICD’s mission is to connect, empower, and support people living with diabetes through mentorship and programs to help overcome challenges. We encourage you to learn more by clicking here. 

Mark Your Calendars! 

An annual golf tournament in support of the Kids ‘n’ Us conference is held every August.  As with the conference, it is planned and presented by volunteers within the diabetes community.  The money raised from the tournament funds the continuation of the annual conference at a low cost to participants. 

The annual conference is usually scheduled for the first Saturday in May, and the golf tournament for the third week in August. This year’s tournament will be held on August 21 at Eaglerock Gold Course. For more information, or to register, please click here. 

To connect with the Kids ‘n’ Us: Families Facing Diabetes Society, please email [email protected]. They welcome volunteers, sponsors, and donors to join in the support of those with type 1 diabetes. You can also follow them on Facebook. 

We want to extend a huge thank you to Kids ‘n’ Us for their incredible support regarding type 1 diabetes! Their commitment to raising awareness and providing resources for families affected by this condition is inspiring.