Central Christian Student Raises Awareness About Diabetes

Eleven-year-old Sarah Mazdra has Type I diabetes. But the fifth-grader at in Clayton hasn't let the disease get her down. She knows the consequences all too well.

“I have to be on these monitors and measure my intake and take care of myself or I would die,” Sarah said.

Because of her aptitude and her ability to speak to large groups of people, she's been named a junior ambassador for the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

More than 210,000 people in the U.S. under age 20 had either Type I or Type II diabetes in 2010, the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse states. There is no known cure for the condition. While the genetics may be a factor in getting Type I diabetes, it doesn't necessarily affect everyone in a family: Sarah's twin sister, Lea, does not share the disease.

The Mazdras are big supporters of the ADA. Sarah recently gave a talk to a group at Lumière Place Casino. She got a standing ovation at the conclusion of her remarks.

“The ADA does a lot of good things for children with diabetes," said her mom, Delana. "They train nurses in schools to help children deal with this disease. Sarah was born with diabetes, though not detected until she was older, and will never outgrow it in a lifetime."

The family will help out at the 20th annual Tour De Cure bicycling event Saturday along the Great River Road in Grafton, IL. The event is a fundraiser benefiting diabetes research.

Precocious by nature, Sarah has a vocabulary and a grasp of medical terms and procedures well past her given age.

She can tell others all about controlling her blood sugar; counting carbohydrates; and wearing a wireless and tubeless insulin pump and a sophisticated continuous glucose monitor around the clock.

The monitor is affixed to her body with adhesives so sticky they routinely leave marks on her skin.

Although Sarah can participate in activities such as riding a bike, camping, swimming and taking long walks, doing so requires meticulous advance planning.

Nothing comes easy for this pre-teen youngster.

“Children who have diabetes tend to grow up quickly,” Delana Mazdra said.

The risks are many. Untreated diabetes can lead to  blindness, loss of limbs, heart attacks and pancreatic failure. A seemingly insignificant illness such as a cold or flu can mushroom into a serious problem.

“When I catch a cold, that totally throws my blood sugars off," Sarah said. "That means a lot more blood sugar tests, and ketone testing becomes much more critical."

Central Christian does not have a school nurse, so Sarah educates her teacher about the risks of having diabetes and how best to deal with her prognosis each day.

Going to the doctor, known as an endocrinologist, is not a regular part of her routine. Instead, she goes for full checkups just three or four times a year.

Sarah attends a summer camp for kids with diabetes in Fredericktown, MO, and loves it.

“I get to go to camp with other kids who have diabetes. We have a lot in common while understanding each other’s problems,” she said.

Sarah is a straight-A student with a positive attitude. She’d certainly prefer that scientists find a cure, but she knows that realistically, it likely won’t happen. In the meantime, she will continue managing her affliction and be a kid, just like any other 11-year-old ought to be.