The Michelle McGann Fund
The Michelle McGann Fund’s mission and purpose is to empower families with the support and education they need to ensure a health today and tomorrow for their child. Some of the many complications from type 1 diabetes – such as vision problems, blindness, kidney disease, hypertension, amputations and others – can be avoided or minimized when children get the best treatment possible. Further, quality of life improves when type 1 diabetics follow proper preventive and treatment protocols.
While type 1 diabetes research has its place and plays a critical role in how doctors treat type 1 diabetes in the future, many families need help now.
Families of type 1 diabetics need education and support to quickly get their children’s health on track. The Michelle McGann Fund is a driving force for promoting prompt diagnoses, proper treatment plans, and healthy, active lifestyles for children and families dealing with type 1 diabetes.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michelle McGann to Camp Coral Kids and we’re incredibly grateful to receive such a generous contribution from her fund. Diabetes education, awareness and support is critical to the health and future health of the children we serve.”
Drew Grossman, CEO, Broward Health Coral Springs
The Fund at Work
The Michelle McGann Fund receives donations and awards grants for furthering juvenile diabetes management in three areas: awareness, education and support. The mission of the Fund is to promote a healthy lifestyle now and in the future for individuals and families dealing with a new type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the young age of 13, Michelle identifies with children and adults dealing with Type 1 diabetes. Familiar with the struggles of conducting life as usual, and especially for type 1 diabetics pursuing an active lifestyle or participation in sports, Michelle realizes the benefits that specialized type 1 diabetes treatment offers and the importance of type 1 diabetes education and research.
The Gift of a Lifetime
“Having Dr. Palau and Marta, the diabetes educator, here at the center, comes back to donors like the Michelle McGann Fund, because those donations help bring in professionals who really care about the kids and are focused on their treatment along with improving the quality of life for these kids.”
Nickolas, Guardian to Aaron, 7, Type 1 Diabetes Patient
“Michelle McGann is a professional athlete that plays golf. I do find her inspiring because watching her shows me that I can do whatever I want to do.”
Ryan, 10, Type 1 Diabetes Patient
“I have never had such an amazing person mail me this kind of cool stuff, and that amazing person has Type 1 like me. And you were right, that note did make me feel better.”
Luke, Type 1 Diabetes Patient
Treating T1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone people need to get energy from food.
People with T1D must monitor their blood-sugar level 4-6 times per day, inject multiple times a day or receive insulin continuously through a pump, and carefully balance their insulin doses with eating and daily activities throughout the day and night.
T1D occurs in both children and adults and has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is currently nothing you can do to prevent it.
Insulin is not a cure for diabetes. Even with intensive disease management, a significant portion of their day is still spent with high or low blood-sugar levels, placing people with T1D at risk for devastating complications such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and amputation.