News & Special Events

Camp News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2006

CLEVELAND - Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland (DAGC) announces today the merger of Camp Ho Mita Koda, one of the nation’s oldest diabetes camping organizations, and DAGC. Camp Ho Mita Koda will operate as a subsidiary of DAGC, enabling both organizations to increase services in northeast Ohio for children and teenagers with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland, a local and independent nonprofit organization (not affiliated with the American Diabetes Association or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) has worked to improve the lives of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in northeast Ohio since 1954. DAGC has been a major financial supporter of Camp Ho Mita Koda for many years, and has managed the camp since 1991. The camp, founded in 1929 and located in Newbury (Geauga County), annually serves more than 300 children with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, by offering camp and year round youth programs.

Jacquie Dickinson, who has served as the Executive Director of Camp Ho Mita Koda since 1991, and as President & CEO of DAGC since 2005, comments, "With this merger, Camp Ho Mita Koda receives assurance that the camp can continue to serve children with diabetes until there is a cure." She adds, "The merger of DAGC and Camp Ho Mita Koda was the logical decision of both boards after extensive review. DAGC, the camp, and the people served by them will all benefit."

Philip Goldberg, MD, Chairman of DAGC’s Board of Directors says, "DAGC’s Board looks forward to having Camp Ho Mita Koda become a part of DAGC. Through the Camp Ho Mita Koda subsidiary, DAGC can expand its services to children, teens and families affected by diabetes - a goal of DAGC’s 2006-2008 strategic plan."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 177,000 young people under 20 years of age have diabetes. As obesity rates in children continue to soar, type 2 diabetes, a disease that used to be seen primarily in adults over age 45, is becoming more common in young people. The CDC predicts that 1 in 3 children born in 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime unless current diet and exercise regimens change.

DAGC has four health educators on its staff to provide direct services to the 1 in 14 people affected by type 1 and type 2 diabetes in northeast Ohio. In addition to Camp Ho Mita Koda, DAGC’s programs include: medical nutrition therapy, diabetes self-management education, community education programs, telephone and email counsel, emergency diabetes supply distribution, risk assessments, professional education programs, and support of local diabetes research initiatives.

Please visit www.dagc.org and www.CampHoMitaKoda.org or call (216) 591-0800 for more information about the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland and Camp Ho Mita Koda.