Kent Schnakenberg, an Emporia businessman, has been spreading the word about Type 1 diabetes (T1D). After a family member was diagnosed in 2015, Schnakenberg has traveled across the country, participating in bicycling events and hosting school programs to spread awareness about the disease that affects 200 more young adults and children every day. He has traveled to schools in all 50 states spreading his message along with neon-yellow “Team Schnak” t-shirts.
Schnakenberg, along with family members Mark and Mike, formed Team Schnak Cycling. Avid bike riders, the team wanted to use that to raise money and bring awareness to Juvenile Diabetes. The team will be participating in JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) events throughout the year to bring national awareness to their fight against Type One Diabetes.
Team Schnak brought their Awareness Assembly to Lincoln Elementary on March 31.
Krista Biggs and sevenyear- old Jaxson Biggs took part in the presentation to share their experiences with T1D. Both live with Type 1 Diabetes.
T1D, also known as Juvenile Diabetes or Insulin- Dependent Diabetes, is a chronic condition. In this condition, the pancreas makes little or no insulin, the hormone the body uses to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy. Although type 1 diabetes usually appears in childhood or adolescence, it can develop in adults. There are two noticeable peaks in the age of those diagnosed with Type 1 – children 4-7 and children 10-14.
Risk factors include family history. Anyone with a parent or sibling with T1D will have a slightly higher risk of developing the condition. Genetics, geography and age also increase an individual’s risk factor. Interestingly, the occurrences of Type 1 diabetes are greater in areas furthest from the equator.
Over time, Type 1 diabetes complications can affect major organs in the body including heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys.
There is no known way to prevent Type 1 diabetes, but the Mayo Clinic says researchers are working on preventing the disease or preventing further damage of the islet cells in people who are newly diagnosed.
