Couple helps children, families learn to live with diabetes
It was a year ago that Jenna and Jay Scarsi of Arlington Heights were named the 2006 winners of the Bayer Dream Fund for their innovative diabetes education event, "Lights, Camera, Cure."
In winning the national award, they earned $100,000 to help advance their dream of taking the event to five cities across the country, in an effort to empower children with diabetes.
In looking back, they fondly describe it as their "dream tour." On Saturday, they return to their roots. They will host the event in the Northwest suburbs, this time at Classic Cinemas in Elk Grove Village.
The diabetes fair takes place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the movie theater, 1050 Elk Grove Town Center in Elk Grove Village.
That's where families will find different stations at this interactive health fair, aimed at educating young patients about living with the disease.
Northwest Community Hospital and Novo Nordisk, which manufactures insulin delivery systems for diabetics, are partnering to sponsor the event.
Patients will learn about everything from glucose monitoring and treating low blood sugar, to insulin pumps and good eating habits -- all in a fun, informal setting.
Those who complete all of the stations will receive a free ticket to the movie of their choice.
Sue Drogos, manager of the diabetes services department at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, will work the fair along with 10 of her certified diabetes educators, who will be staffing the stations.
"There are not a lot of events focused on children," Drogos says. "We're trying to put it in a more normal setting, so that children can learn more about how to manage the disease, outside of a doctor's office."
Scarsi herself was diagnosed at the age of 11, and it was her own diabetes educator who helped her learn how to manage the disease, and ultimately served as a mentor in Scarsi's career path.
After earning a degree as a dietitian at Purdue University, Scarsi previously worked on staff with other nurses and dietitians at Northwest Community in its diabetes department, which serves 6,000 patients in the Northwest suburbs on an outpatient basis.
Many of those patients who have attended diabetes education classes at the hospital were sent invitations to attend the health fair, however, Scarsi knows there are more potential guests in the community.
"National stats tell us that only 20 percent of people living with diabetes ever receive formal education," Scarsi says. "I hope to reach out to as many people as possible, to encourage those living with diabetes to join us for a fun, informal event."