For the Newly Diagnosed

Diagnosis with type 1 (juvenile) diabetes is an overwhelming and frightening experience for child and family alike. JDRF Northwest offers resources to support you during this stressful time. Through these resources, families and individuals touched by diabetes can get practical advice and emotional support for as long as they need it.

Learn more:

• Bag of Hope
• Parent-to-Parent Network
• JDRF Online Diabetes Support Team
• JDRF Kids Online
• School Advisory Toolkit
• Online School Assistance Team
• E-newsletter for the Newly Diagnosed
• Sign up for the JDRF Northwest Newsletter
• About Diabetes
• JDRF Research Efforts

Bag of Hope

JDRF offers a free care package of information—the “Bag of Hope”—to help families learn more about disease management and diabetes research. These educational resources are delivered by a family in your community who has been through this experience and can share non-medical information and personal stories. Request a bag for a child (0-11 years) or teen (12-20 years) by calling JDRF Northwest at (206) 838-5153 or (800) 925-5533.

Included in the Bag of Hope are items such as:

• Rufus the Bear - a cuddly stuffed animal with diabetes
• Accu-Chek Compact Blood Meter
• Carbohydrates Counter Slide Tool
• Diabetes books for kids and parents

The Teen Pak is filled with similar material, including:

• Rufus the Bear
• Water Pak Back Pak
• Accu-Chek Compact Blood Meter
• Carbohydrates Counter Slide Tool
• Diabetes book and video about teens and parents.
• A notebook, surf bracelet and flashlight

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Parent-to-Parent Network

This program matches families of recently diagnosed children with a JDRF Northwest volunteer parent in our support network. Volunteer parents are not professionals, but have been through this experience and can answer questions and provide hope and inspiration through their own personal stories. Please call JDRF Northwest at (206) 838-5153 or (800) 925-5533 for more information.

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JDRF Online Diabetes Support Team

JDRF’s Online Diabetes Support Team is a group of volunteers who provide one-to-one support, a sympathetic ear and practical suggestions for families affected by diabetes. They can also answer your questions about continuous glucose monitors (CGM), which were previously available only to adults. A Medtronic CGM was approved for children ages 7-17 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in spring 2007.

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JDRF Kids Online

Visit JDRF Kids Online to get tips for managing diabetes, find answers to common questions, search for diabetes-related topics, get involved in JDRF events just for kids, and much more.

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School Advisory Toolkit

The School Advisory Toolkit (view a sample) provides teachers, administrators, and parents with helpful resources, training, and practical information about: everyday medical needs, legal and emotional issues, the demands of living with type 1 diabetes, and responsibilities for dealing with diabetes in schools. This new guide helps educators and parents work together to best manage a child’s diabetes while in school.

To get your free Toolkit, request a copy to download or call JDRF Northwest at 206-838-5153 for a CD version. E-mail schooltool@jdrf.org for more details.

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Online School Assistance Team

JDRF’s Online School Assistance Team provides support and information to families and friends.  Volunteers with specialized knowledge about diabetes and school issues will respond via e-mail within 48 hours. All correspondence is confidential.

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