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DHSS Press Release

Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Pager 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Date: March 24, 2017
DHSS-03-2017

SCHOLARSHIPS SUPPORT HIGHER EDUCATION FOR YOUNG ADULTS WITH DIABETES

DOVER, DE (March. 24, 2017) - The Delaware Diabetes Coalition in collaboration with the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is currently accepting scholarship applications for the 2017-2018 school year, from high school seniors who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. The scholarship program, established in 2008, provides much-needed financial assistance to youth living with this chronic disease.

"Living with diabetes isn't always easy for teenagers or their family," said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. "Between keeping their diabetes under control, managing schoolwork and after-school activities, recreational play, stress and all the other daily life issues a teenager must cope with, it can be challenging. Additionally, families often face ongoing medical expenses related to their conditions. This scholarship program is an important tool to help alleviate the financial burden facing families and assist these young people in furthering their dreams."

Eligible applicants must be residents of Delaware, currently enrolled as high school seniors, have diabetes, a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and plan to pursue education in an accredited higher education program. The student is required to write a 500-word essay entitled: "How Diabetes Has Impacted My Life Choices." Two letters of support from non-family members are also required.

Two $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually. The scholarship is payable to the institution the student will be attending. For application criteria, procedures and the application form, visit www.dediabetescoalition.org. Awardees are required to attend the Delaware Diabetes Wellness Expo, which will be held at Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The 2016 scholarship recipients, Mary Lemma of Clayton and Clinton Rumley of Milford, say they are grateful for the scholarships.

"With the help of the coalition, I was propelled one step further so I can achieve my goal of becoming a health care professional, and to work towards a cure of Juvenile Diabetes", said Mr. Rumley, Lake Forest High School graduate attending Delaware Technical and Community College. "This scholarship helped me with the costs of college and reminded me to be thankful, even for my type 1 diabetes," said Miss Lemma, a Smyrna High School graduate attending the University of Delaware.

The deadline for applications with all required backup documentation is May 1, 2017. Notification of awards will be made no later than June 15, 2017. Submit all documents by email to: info@dediabetescoalition.org or call 302-388-9728 with any questions.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person's spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

SCHOLARSHIPS SUPPORT HIGHER EDUCATION FOR YOUNG ADULTS WITH DIABETES

Delaware's Government