Local teen advocating for diabetes research – Journalscene.com

Cameron Shephard is a local teen supported by her family as she raises awareness for type 1 diabetes.

The 13-year-old self-professed baby of the family with three siblings is a type 1 diabetic, a disease she was diagnosed with when she was 7 years old.

Type 1 diabetes also referred to as juvenile diabetes, though it can develop at any age is a disease in which the pancreas is not producing enough insulin, which regulates blood sugar. There is no known way to prevent Type 1 diabetes, nor is it curable. It is treatable through insulin therapy, delivered by injections or an insulin pump. Patients also regularly check to their blood sugar levels.

Cameron, who plays tennis and will be a freshman at Ashley Ridge High School next year, is trying to advocate for research through funds and awareness, and has a busy summer laid out that consists of talking to congressmen and cycling 100 miles, all to let people know why they need to care about finding a cure for diabetes.

Cameron and her family from Ridgeville refer to May 9 as her Diaversary the date when she was diagnosed.

Her mom, Lisa, a nurse, said no one else in the Shephard family has diabetes. Camerons diagnosis came as a shock to her parents.

Even as a nurse it shocked me how different it is because in nursing school they tell you so much about Type 2 diabetes, Lisa said.

At the time of her diagnosis, Camerons symptoms consisted of her drinking more and using the bathroom more, and she lost a lot of weight. She was treated at MUSC.

She honeymooned for a year a term referring to the period of time following Type 1 diabetes diagnosis when the pancreas is still producing some insulin to reduce insulin needs and assist blood sugar control.

She has endured more than 15,000 needle injections and eight hypoglycemic seizures. December was her last seizure.

Cameron has used a diabetic pump for about four years, though she sometimes goes back to using injections during the summer. She also has a CGM on her arm, which alerts her every five minutes to what her blood sugar level is so she does not have to do finger pricks as much. The CGM sends the alerts to a device which relays the information to Camerons phone, and her parents phones.

However, Cameron is not slowing down.

The teenager has had a JDRF Walk team for five years and is participating in the Ride to Cure Diabetes in September in New York. JDRF stands for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and their slogan is turning type one into type none.

The ride is a 100-mile cycling event to raise money and awareness for Type 1 diabetes research. It will be her first ride and the second one for Lisa.

Lisa said she first did the ride in 2016 on Amelia Island. She raised about $4,300 and went about 77 miles, but this year they are pledging 100 miles.

Cameron has also met with local congressmen and senators on diabetes-related issues.

Cameron was recently selected to represent South Carolina in the JDRF Childrens Congress this summer in Washington, D.C. She said she had to complete an application process and write a letter to South Carolina congressmen. There are three children representing South Carolina at the Childrens Congress and Cameron is the only one from below Columbia.

Cameron said she wanted to represent South Carolina because you dont hear about diabetes that much so just got to go make sure it is heard up in Washington.

The family will fly out July 24 to Washington for a busy two days consisting of children all of whom are living with Type 1 diabetes meeting with members of Congress to talk about what it is like living with the disease and why research to fund a cure is critical.

Cameron said she is excited and hopes to explain how we need support with everything.

Some children as young as 4 years old are going to Washington. Lisa said it helps put a face to the situation.

They see those kids and see what they have to do andit kind of pulls at their heart strings, she said.

In preparation for Childrens Congress, Cameron has made scrapbooks and a video and shell sit down with congressmen, one on one, and explain what her life is like to stay healthy.

You just got to constantly monitor it and make sure you dont go too low, Cameron said, referring to her blood sugar level, and if you do you got to have to have Skittles or glucose tab(lets) on you at all times.

Cameron carries a bag with her wherever she goes that carries all her diabetic needs. Shell have to sit out for an activity, like tennis, if her blood sugar is too low or too high.

When she grows up Cameron wants to be a pediatric nurse or maybe an endocrinologist. She said she thinks she would be able to relate with the patients.

Were definitely very proud of her, Lisa said. Ive been proud of her from day one when she was diagnosed.

Lisa said it blows her way the Cameron has never gotten down about the disease and maintains a positive attitude.

Some days Im like, Gosh, I hate this disease and shell just be like, Im fine, Lisa said.

Lisa said in Camerons lifetime, she is not sure if a cure will be found, but she thinks research will find ways to at least prevent Type 1 diabetes.

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Local teen advocating for diabetes research - Journalscene.com