VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Mary Kay Warden

Real Stories About Real People

A Tireless Volunteer Who is Willing to Go the Extra Mile   

Mary Kay Warden is the volunteer co-director of American Diabetes Association’s Camp Confidence, which was the first ADA Day Camp in the State of Illinois.  She first learned about the American Diabetes Association when her son Ryan was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age three.  A social worker at Evanston Hospital told her about ADA and its parents’ support group.

Warden became a volunteer while attending one of the first support group meetings and this is when she found out about an overnight camp that was available for older children.  When she asked what was available for younger children, she learned that no such camp programs existed.  With the coordination of three other mothers, they approached ADA about starting a camp for children ages three to eight years old – and ADA Camp Confidence was born. Along with ADA, they were able to secure funding, a camp site, volunteers and donors so that, in 1988, they could open the first ADA Day Camp in Illinois.  She also led a parents’ support group in Chicago from 1988 to 1989.

Her husband’s side of the family has type 2 diabetes but no type 1 on either side.  From the moment her son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the entire family’s lifestyle was affected.  They became more educated on healthy meals, insulin, testing kits and syringes. They made sure that they had juice and crackers with them all the time.  Warden further explained, “Because Ryan was so young when he was diagnosed and could not always tell us when he was having a hypoglycemic reaction, we had to constantly be vigilant as to how he was looking and acting.”

Type 1 diabetes is truly a community effort when young children are affected.  For parents with children with diabetes, it can be overwhelming.  This is why she felt it was very important to have Camp Confidence available, not only for children so they would not feel isolated and also learn to manage their diabetes, but for parents as well, so they can have a break and know their child is in excellent hands.  Ryan, who is now 23 years old, is doing very well.

Every year, parents tell her how much having this Camp means to them and how their child cannot wait to get there every day.  “I look at the kids running around just being kids and realize what a terrific thing this is. It can’t help but make me feel all of this work means something special to so many.  How can this help but give me a warm and fuzzy feeling,” remarked Warden.

Over the last several years, they have had former campers and counselors who are now young adults who stop by the camp and visit.  Many of these young adults are going into the health profession, helping those who live with diabetes and becoming integral in finding a cure.  The camp is an ongoing source of education for Warden and it also keeps her abreast on the latest developments in diabetes.

Warden is amazed at the nurses, dieticians, students, and parents who volunteer their time as counselors because the camp could not exist without their selflessness.  Many of their teen-age counselors work at the camp in the day time and go to their jobs at night.  Her co-director, Bev Parapinksy, and health team coordinator, Linda Fainman, RN who recruited the nursing staff from the very first day the Camp opened, have worked tirelessly.  Bev’s daughter, Mallory grew up in the Camp program and now as a college student, volunteers for it.  Fortunately for Linda, no one in her family has diabetes.

Sue Apsey, ADA’s Associate Director, Northern Illinois/Northern Indiana, said, “Mary Kay has been an inspiration and a guiding force for our ADA Camp Confidence program since its beginning 20 years ago.  She is an enthusiastic, creative, and dedicated leader for our campers and our volunteers.”

Send feedback to volunteerupdates@diabetes.org.