Camp For Kids With Diabetes Starts In San Jose
SAN JOSE (KCBS) --- A special summer camp for diabetic children kicked off Monday in San Jose. It's a place for kids with type 2 diabetes or even pre-diabetes to learn how to manage their condition before it gets any worse.
Jose Gallegos, 12, was one of at least two dozen kids signed up for diabetes camp in San Jose organized by the American Diabetes Association and the City of San Jose, Parks, Department of Recreation and Neighborhood Services.
KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:
"I need to learn how to eat healthy and do more exercise," he said.
Gallegos knows what he has to do to manage his pre-diabetic condition - the trick is learning how. That's what this camp is all about.
Jessie de la Cruz with the American Diabetes Association in San Jose said kids like Gallegos will learn to read food labels and can then share that information with his parents.
De la Cruz added this week-long camp is unique for several reasons.
"This camp deals with the underprivileged, medically under-served youth, and the camp is free," he said.
Other more expensive camps for kids with type 1 diabetes were recently canceled after the Diabetes Society suddenly closed its doors. But Norma Malina with the county's Pediatric Healthy Lifestyle Center said the local YMCA has stepped in to put on one of the canceled camps.
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