June 2009 WADE Newsletter

New job posting (6/3/09)

    Camp Volunteers Needed 

We are looking for nurses and assistants to help at         diabetes camp at Camp Sealth on Vashon Island.  The dates are July 28^th through August 7^th.  We have 48 kids signed up so far and we need more helpers!!  I have been going to camp for the last 11 years and wouldn’t miss it.  Camp is an opportunity to see kids outside of the clinic or hospital doing their every day diabetes tasks.  It is a real learning experience.

Camp Sealth is located right on the water on the southwest side of Vashon Island.  Camp is a lot of fun, and a lot of work too, but you do get time to relax and enjoy the water and the woods. 

To be an assistant you do not have to have a clinical background to participate.  Assistants get to help be door guards so that not too many kids can get in the door at the same time, help at the blood sugar testing table and help find kids in their cabins at all times of day and night. 

Nurses watch the kids draw up or dial in their insulin doses, and then give the injection.  Some we teach this task to for the first time.  We also give them their other medications if they have any.  Nurses also get to check on the kids in their cabins for midnight checks if needed.

We are hoping to have volunteers make a 72 hour commitment to be at camp so there isn’t too much of a revolving door, but if you can come for a shorter duration.

If interested contact Alyssa Olsen at 888-342-2383 ext. 7202 or 206-282-4616 ext. 7202 or aolsen@diabetes.org  or Barbara Maslaney RN, BSN, CDE, Seattle Children's Hospital, Department of Diabetes & Endocrinology, 206-987-4235

WADE's Annual Conference Declared a    "Winner"

 Pat Haldi, MN, RN, CDE

 Over 250 individuals, including diabetes educators and vendors, attended the 2009 WADE Annual Conference held at the Historical Davenport Hotel in Spokane, WA.  The theme was "Winning Strategies for Diabetes Education and Management".  Topics included:  genetics & diabetes, artificial sweeteners, peripheral neuropathy, continuous glucose monitoring, insulin pumps, intensive insulin management, and new trends in diabetology.  

 The conference goals were to bring knowledge and a positive focus with renewed energy to diabetes education and treatment.  The mission was to provide diabetes educators with an opportunity for learning, networking, information sharing and partnership building.

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More photos of the 2009 conference ...

President's Message
Pat Haldi, MN, RN, CDE 

The changes in our economy have greatly impacted us all in many ways. Needless to say, the effects have made many individuals, families, business and organizations such as WADE face financial challenges and hardships. 

For WADE, the year started out with the news that pharmaceutical companies have new federal guidelines to follow regarding sponsorships and "give a ways".  If you have attended any programs such as the WADE Annual Conference, you have noticed there were few if any "goodies" given out by vendors.

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