Georgetown University Diabetes Gala to Raise Funds for Research, Education, and Summer Fun for Local Kids

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Living with type I diabetes can be challenging for young children and teenagers who have to constantly monitor their blood glucose levels and take insulin several times a day. So spending time with other kids just like them is a fun opportunity and the purpose behind the Around the World Gala, on Saturday, June 4th at 5:30 p.m. at Georgetown University Conference Center.

At the gala, children with diabetes will join Ken Beatrice, a former radio sports personality, best known for his show, Sports Call, on WMAL-AM based in Washington, D.C., and Doug Sobel, MD, professor of endocrinology at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC), to host the annual fundraising event that benefits the Diabetes Research & Education Program at GUMC.

The program provides prevention and treatment options as well as much-needed research that may one day result in a cure. At the same time, it allows children with diabetes to enjoy free recreational activities and field trips throughout the city this summer and during the year.  In the future, Sobel hopes to establish a mentoring program in which children with diabetes can assist others newly diagnosed to cope with this disease.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, over 285 million people live with diabetes around the world. In the United States, there are over 25 million Americans with this disease, of which 200,000 are under the age of twenty.

"We recognize that this is not just a problem in the nation's capital but worldwide and that the global diabetes community must work together to ultimately find a cure. Being a juvenile with diabetes can be exceptionally challenging particularly as children grow and their bodies constantly change," says Sobel. "But the kids who host the gala are an example that living with diabetes is possible, one step at a time."

At this year's gala, guests will enjoy a country-to-country sampling of distinctive dishes, cultural dances and a live auction with vacation destinations around the world.  Special invited guests include Washington, DC-based ambassadors, from countries such as Australia, Denmark, Egypt, Ireland and Sweden, to highlight the need to increase awareness about diabetes in their own countries and ultimately find a cure.  Many of the ambassadors are also Honorary Diabetes Co-Chairs for the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, which educates and support diabetes research, education and treatment.

The gala will also feature activities for children including face painting, a moon bounce and other activities and music for all. Beverly Cosham, a vocalist at Blues Alley, Docs of Dixieland Jazz Band, TMD &The Brass SOULution Dance Band, KNS Indian Dance Center, and O'Neill-James School of Irish Dance, will perform.

Tickets are $40 for adults, $15 for children under 17, or $125 per family. Media are invited to attend.  For more information, please contact Tressa Kirby at (202)-687-8865.

About Georgetown University Medical Center

Georgetown University Medical Center is an internationally recognized academic medical center with a three-part mission of research, teaching and patient care (through MedStar Health). GUMC's mission is carried out with a strong emphasis on public service and a dedication to the Catholic, Jesuit principle of curapersonalis -- or "care of the whole person." The Medical Center includes the School of Medicine and the School of Nursing & Health Studies, both nationally ranked; Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute; and the Biomedical Graduate Research Organization (BGRO), which accounts for the majority of externally funded research at GUMC including a Clinical Translation and Science Award from the National Institutes of Health. In fiscal year 2009-2010, GUMC accounted for nearly 80 percent of Georgetown University's extramural research funding.

SOURCE Georgetown University Medical Center