Team Triple A

Team Triple A – Goes to Camp and Steps Out!

Arianna Abigail Alirez of Anchorage, Alaska, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in April 2008.

Last year, Arianna got on a bus with 50 other kids ranging in ages from 6-17 years, and headed off for a week at the American Diabetes Association Alaska Diabetes Camp at Camp Kushtaka.

“My husband, Adam, was probably more apprehensive than I was,” says Dawn Alirez, Arianna’s mother.  “But Camp is a place where Arianna isn’t the only one who has to manage diabetes every day.  She can be around others who understand and I want to do everything I can to give her that experience.”

The American Diabetes Association Camps are staffed with medical professionals and staff – many of whom have diabetes, that provide a safe, yet fun environment for kids with diabetes.

“Arianna had so much fun last year that she’s headed back to Camp this year,” says Dawn.  “She made friends but she also came home telling me how many carbs an apple has.”

Through Camp, Dawn and Adam learned that the Association’s Alaska office was having their first Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes event that fall.  Arianna, Dawn and Adam immediately set out to recruit for their family team; Team Triple A.

“We were lucky because we had a friend at a printing company that sold us t-shirts at cost.  We made teal t-shirts for everyone and I even sent them as gifts to family in Minnesota,” says Dawn. 

On the day of the Step Out event, 30 members of Team Triple A showed up wearing their t-shirts.  “It was so great to see our family and friends come out to support Arianna.  The event was wonderful,” says Dawn.  “The walk was held inside a building – since we’re in Alaska and we walked around a track, but the whole time, it felt like a celebration of finding a cure.”

“Our Step Out event had awards for Most Feet on the Ground, Top Fundraising and Most Spirit. Short by 4 pairs of feet but with huge screams and hollers, Team Triple A won the Most Spirit Award” says Pam Bell, Associate Manager of the Alaska office.  “This year, Dawn was the first Team Captain to sign up again for Step Out (back in February) and they’ve already put together a fundraising cookbook called, Recipes For a Cure. We’re super excited about having such a dynamic team supporting us!”

Learn more about Camp.

Find a Step Out event near you!