JDRF Outreach Program

Children
Adults
Local Support Groups
Committee

Children
Finding out your child has type 1, juvenile diabetes can be overwhelming.  Once the initial shock passes, the intensive education process begins.  It's a new way of living, there is so much to learn: nutrition, ketones, glucose levels, monitors, carbohydrate counting, insulin dosages… the list continues.  But you are not alone!
 
The purpose of the Outreach Program is to give a helping hand to newly diagnosed families by connecting them with other families who have gone through that same difficult time. The Bag of Hope, the cornerstone of the Outreach Program, contains useful information such as books about diabetes, a Accu-Chek Aviva meter, and Rufus, the bear with diabetes.  These bags are graciously underwritten by Roche Diagnostics… we can't thank them enough for their support of this program!

With volunteer help, we add all of the chapter information (calendar of events, newsletter, walk packets, brochures, etc.) to the Bags and deliver them to Children's Medical Center for distribution to newly diagnosed families.  The Bag of Hope is intended to help assist newly diagnosed families in those early days, and then a JDRF outreach mentor family follows up with them by phone call to also offer any support they might need.  Our network of mentor families is about sharing, helping, listening, and new friendships with people who understand your fears, questions, and yes, even your tears.  This network operates through the Greater Dallas Chapter of JDRF, but is driven and coordinated by volunteers who have been where you are.    

If you are interested in speaking with another family who lives with type 1, juvenile diabetes please contact Tressa Thomas at the JDRF office at tthomas@jdrf.org or at 214-373-9808.  She would be happy to get you connected to a JDRF mentor family.

Adults
NEW!  We would like to invite you to attend an event for adults living with type 1 diabetes.  This is going to be a social and educational event with information about type 1 diabetes and the research advancements being made today.  Would you also like the opportunity to speak to another adult that lives with type 1 diabetes who lives in your community?  If you are interested in receiving more information, please sign-up by clicking HERE and include your name, address, phone number, email, date of diagnoses and what information you are interested in.    

Local Support Groups

Coffees for a Cure