Donation sends local girl to special diabetes camp

The Rockville Centre Lions Club is to thank for one West Hempstead girl’s dream summer. Thanks to the club's $600 donation, Madison Savarese, of West Hempstead, has the opportunity to attend the Clara Barton Diabetes Day Camp in Roslyn.

Madison received the donation through Winthrop Hospital's Kids Interested in Diabetes group, of which she is a member. Local children diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes are invited to join KIDs, which was created to educate children about the disease, as well as give them an environment in which to socialize with other children with the same condition.

The Clara Barton Diabetes Day Camp, an outdoor summer camp, caters specifically to insulin-dependant children. It combines fun and activity, along with education about Type 1 Diabetes and aims to support and inspire children to follow their dreams. The camp's main message to kids: nothing, including Type 1 Diabetes, can hold you back from achieving your goals and aspirations.

The Lions Club of Rockville Center awarded the scholarship for the express purpose of sending children like Madison to the camp.

“The Lions Club International has a tradition of supporting efforts that help prevent and treat diabetes and its potential side effects," said Eileen Egan, coordinator of Winthrop’s Kindred Spirits Support Group for families of children with diabetes. “Together with the Clara Barton Day Camp and the Lions Club, Winthrop is dedicated to educating children about diabetes in an effort to decrease the possibility of complications.”

For more information call (516) 633 2350 or visit winthrop.org.