The Villages - November 2019 - 26

Before They Were Villagers
PENNY KASPRZAK

AMERICAN DIABETES
ASSOCIATION CAMP COORDINATOR
BY RICA KEENUM

It was 1987 when 34-year-old Russ Kasprzak realized his body couldn't
produce insulin. After landing in the hospital with a blood glucose reading of
800, he discovered he had type-1 diabetes, a complex type that accounts for
5 percent of diabetics.
"Our entire lifestyle changed then," Penny Kasprzak said of the
experience with her husband. "We became active and focused on health. We
changed our eating habits and got educated about the disease."
Penny watched Russ poke needles into oranges as he prepared to
administer his own insulin injections. A lifelong volunteer, she'd found a new
cause to pursue.
"I got involved with the American Diabetes Association - fundraising for
20 years until I became an employee," she said.
Penny led educational programs throughout the state of
Wisconsin with the goal of teaching the public about type
1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Two years later, a camp
director became ill and Penny stepped into a new role.
"We ran two camps in partnership with the
Wisconsin Lions Camp: a weekend retreat and
a summer camp," she said. "We taught newly
diagnosed children how to live successfully with
diabetes."
During summer camp, 150 kids came together
to swim, fish, boat and build lasting friendships.
"We had a team of volunteers and medical staff
helping out," Penny said.
Ensuring the kids had a safe experience,
doctors, medical directors, dietitians and nurses
observed the campers at play.
"Many took vacation from work to be there,"
she said. "Kids could forget about their diabetes
and just be kids with 149 other children who had
the same disease. Most never shared their disease with
their friends, so this was a whole new environment where
even the medical staff and volunteers could relate because
many of them also had diabetes."
Large quantities of insulin, pump supplies, testing
strips, syringes and other medical equipment were
required to keep the camp running.
26

NOVEMBER 2019



The Villages - November 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - November 2019

Contents
The Villages - November 2019 - Cover1
The Villages - November 2019 - Contents
The Villages - November 2019 - 1
The Villages - November 2019 - 2
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