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Davis Summer Camp Gives Children Battling Diabetes A Chance To Bond

By Kelly Ryan

DAVIS (CBS13) — It's that time of the year when many kids head to summer camp, and for one group of kids their camp is filled with typical activities and a chance to learn about an autoimmune disease they all share.

It's a summer camp like so many others—a chance to toss water balloons and hang out with your new friends. But many of these campers share something that other kids do not—insulin pumps.

Eleven-year-old Ava was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes two years ago. Besides swimming and jumping on the trampoline, she and other campers have additional activities.

"We check our blood sugar," she said. "The ones who have shots take shots, and some of us who have palms, we give ourselves insulin with her."

Erin Heiser is a nurse who runs the UC Davis diabetes summer camp. She, too, has Type 1 diabetes and went to diabetes camp near Fresno as a kid. She wanted kids in Davis to have the same chance.

These campers say it's been good learning more about managing their diabetes, but the best part of getting to behave like any other camper, is the chance to get your camp leader a little wet.

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