Hoffman Teen to Speak in Brandon about Juvenile Diabetes

On Wednesday, July 10 at 7:00pm at Lions Park in Brandon, the Brandon Lions Club will have Hailey Stark, 16, of Hoffman present to speak to the community about her life with Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes.  Hailey was diagnosed on November 5, 2003, as a first grader.  Since then endless finger pokes, sleepless nights, numerous blood sugar checks, and counting carbohydrates—amongst many other things—has become her new “normal”.

Hailey has attended Camp Needlepoint, a camp specifically designed for kids with Type 1 diabetes, in Hudson, WI for the past eight years.  Camp Needlepoint is run by the American Diabetes Association and supported by many organizations including the Lions.  Hailey feels that the best part of going to Camp Needlepoint is that she doesn’t feel alone, since everyone else is diabetic also. 

The Lions encourage anyone affected by Type 1 diabetes to attend Hailey’s talk and learn more about Camp Needlepoint and the potential support of the Lions in their community. The evening will start at 6:30pm with a potluck dinner.  Hailey will speak at 7pm. 

Since Hailey’s diagnosis in 2003, her family has been very active with JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), raising over $60,000 for research over the course of the past decade. 2013 was a very special year for Hailey’s Hope. It was their 10 year walk “anniversary”.  The 2013 JDRF Walk for a Cure for Type 1 diabetes, was held at the Mall of America on Saturday, February 23, 2013.  Hailey’s Hope Walk Team, made up of family and friends, were among the record-breaking 21,000 walkers that were at the mall that day.  The Hailey’s Hope team met and surpassed their $10,000 Anniversary goal, with final donations totaling $11,248!!  Statewide, $2.1 million dollars was raised for research, leading to a cure for Type 1 diabetes.