BIG HEROES COME IN SMALL SIZES & JOIN IN FIGHT AGAINST DIABETES

McComb – At the age of six, three years after her own diagnosis, Anna Claire taught an elderly man how to check his blood sugar in the hospital room next to her own.

At the age of eight, Anna Claire began participating in the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi-sponsored Walk for Diabetes, each year bringing scores of friends with her to walk for a cure to diabetes.

She went door-to-door asking friends, neighbors and family members for donations. She sold diabetes bracelets for at least two years, raising money for the cause of conquering diabetes.
In doing this, she spread an inspiring message of hope– diabetes, if monitored properly and managed with a well-balanced diet and plenty of exercise, does not have to be an inhibitor of life and all of its enjoyments.

It is such a big message to be coming from such a small girl.

“Anna Claire is stronger than anyone I know,” said her mom Melissa Johnson. “She would definitely be my hero.”

At the age of 12, Anna Claire stays busy with typical 7th-grade activities and cheerleading, dance, basketball and softball. She enjoys riding her 4-wheeler, jumping on the trampoline and swimming. No one would ever know that she has had type 1 diabetes since her third birthday.

“We don’t remember life without it,” her mom said.

With no family history of diabetes, the family was in complete shock and disbelief when she was diagnosed, Johnson said.

Nevertheless, neither Johnson nor her daughter ever let diabetes dampen their spirits. Instead, they work tirelessly to promote diabetes awareness.

“The week before McComb’s walk, we text, email and call all of our friends,” Johnson said with a laugh. “I tell them, ‘We need your support– Anna Claire needs your support.”
Every dollar raised by Johnson and Anna Claire stays in Mississippi to support the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi (DFM) in its mission of service to the 346,500 Mississippians who, like Anna Claire, have diabetes.

The DFM first became a part of Anna Claire’s life after her diagnosis nearly 10 years ago. The hospital and one of its endocrinologists suggested they seek the help and counsel of the DFM in making the transition to a life of healthy diabetes management. From the first finger pricks a decade ago to the use of an insulin pump now, the DFM has been there for Anna Claire every step of the way, Johnson said.

On Saturday, Sept. 29, McComb will host Mississippi’s Walk for Diabetes, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. with registration. The walk– a one-mile family fun walk or a 3.1/5k– will begin at 10 a.m. Individuals may register the morning of the walk but are encouraged to register in advance either by calling 1-877-DFM-CURE or visiting the Web site, www.msdiabetes.org.

The DFM is the state’s only nonprofit health organization that provides diabetes research, information, patient services and advocacy, and its mission is to provide hope through research, programs and service to the 346,500 Mississippians with diabetes. Every dollar raised by the DFM stays in the state to support these efforts. In addition, 90 cents of every dollar raised goes towards the organization’s charitable purposes. The DFM is the one diabetes organization totally dedicated to all Mississippians– from children to seniors– who live with diabetes.

“Everyone knows someone with diabetes,” she said. “This is why it’s so important to raise awareness and money to overcome this disease, and this is why we’re walking in the Walk for Diabetes on Saturday.”