By Russ George
The SciTech Hands On Museum, in Downtown Aurora, was a beehive of activity when the Cosmopolitan Club of Aurora, “The Club That Fights Diabetes”, held its second annual World Diabetes Day Thursday, Nov. 14 to bring about an awareness of diabetes.
Participating organizations at this year’s event included: AMITA Health Mercy Diabetes Wellness Center, Andros Foods US, Fox Valley Park District, Pure Health, Rush Copley Diabetes Educational Center, Tandem Diabetes, University of Chicago Medicine-Kovler Diabetes Research & Treatment Center, and VNA Health Center.
Cosmo member Arlene S. Hawks, director of SciTech and chairperson of this year’s event, was emcee for the evening. Guest speaker Mike Leonardi, actor and producer, delivered a message about his experience with Type 2 Diabetes. Simply Destinee Dance Crew, along with DJ, Martin Luna, who is a diabetic, provided the entertainment. On-site testing for diabetes was provided by Rush Copley Diabetes Educational Center.
Connor Limberg, a Type 1 diabetic, and his diabetic alert dog, Rizzo, attended the event. Rizzo started alerting, even though Connor was checked and was within range. Rizzo wouldn’t stop alerting. Because of his continued alerts, a woman in attendance made her husband get his blood sugar tested by Rush Copley. The test was 520 (five times normal) and the couple left the event for urgent care. It is just one case of someone not knowing of the diabetic situation, diabetes, and why the Cosmopolitan Club of Aurora promotes diabetes awareness.
Russ George is the president of the Cosmopolitan Club of Aurora.