Building Community and Spreading PMA All Day! Diabetes Family Connection Visits Apex Lions
At our August 21 meeting, the Apex Lions Club had the pleasure of hosting Tara Wilder, Development Manager for The Diabetes Family Connection. Tara is not only a North Carolina native but also a longtime Apex resident who has lived here since 2001. Her passion for helping families impacted by Type 1 diabetes was clear from the very beginning of her presentation.
Tara’s family has a personal connection with Type 1 diabetes. Her son has been a T1D warrior since 2010, and her cousin Justin was diagnosed at age 7. This journey led her to the Diabetes Family Connection, a nonprofit whose mission is to positively transform the lives of people living with Type 1 diabetes through education, recreation, and most importantly community.
Understanding Diabetes and Clearing Up Misconceptions
Tara walked us through the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes:
- Type 1 is an autoimmune disease where the pancreas no longer produces insulin. It is not caused by diet and cannot be cured.
- Type 2 is a metabolic disease, often linked to insulin resistance, that can be managed or even reversed through treatment, proper diet and other lifestyle changes.
She also debunked common myths, such as the misconception that diabetes only affects children, that it is caused by eating too much sugar, or that people with diabetes can never eat sweets. Her message was clear: managing diabetes is far more complex, requiring medical care, education, and support.
Camps That Change Lives
The Diabetes Family Connection programs are designed to give children and families impacted by Type 1 diabetes a sense of belonging. Their largest program, Camp Morris, takes place in King NC and serves students from third grade through high school. With the support of endocrinologists, physicians, nurses, and more than 125 volunteers, campers can experience all the joys of summer camp such as swimming, games, and friendship without the constant worries of diabetes management.
DFC also offers Teen Retreats, Family Retreats, and Camp to Community programs, bringing the camp experience to under-served areas. Tara’s enthusiasm and description of this camp reminded many of us of the spirit behind our own Camp Dogwood for the Blind, which also provides safe and empowering experiences for blind and visually impaired individuals.
A Call to Action
Tara’s presentation was more than informative, it was inspiring. She encouraged us to consider partnering with The Diabetes Family Connection, just as other Lions Clubs have done. And since she is an Apex resident, we also invited her to consider joining our club to share her expertise and passion for service.
Her motto, PMA all day, which means Positive Mental Attitude, fits perfectly with our Lions spirit of service, optimism, and community.
Why This Matters for Apex
The Apex Lions Club exists to serve the people of our town. Whether it is through providing eye screenings, collecting glasses, or supporting organizations like The Diabetes Family Connection, our goal is to improve lives and build a stronger community. By connecting with groups like the DFC, we can extend our impact to families right here in Apex who may be walking the difficult path of diabetes.
If you are passionate about helping others, we invite you to join us. When you become a Lion, you are not just volunteering, you are becoming part of a family dedicated to service, hope, and positive change.
Contact Tara Wilder at tara@thedfc.org
Visit their website: www.thedfc.org
Explore upcoming programs: www.thedfc.org/events
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