BOXING EVENT RAISES MONEY TO BATTLE DIABETES

JACKSON -- Melody Rhodes put on boxing gloves to battle diabetes Saturday.

Children and adults joined Rhodes, throwing jabs into the air and into the chest of instructor Danny Reesuvenile diabetes last April.

About 50 others joined Rhodes for "Knock Out Diabetes," an aerobic fund raising event that she organized at the Main Street Fitness Center.

The first-time event raised approximately $500 through $5 tickets and donations from those who participated in "BoxAerobics" classes offered throughout the day. The money will go to support diabetes programs in the area, Rhodes said.

Although she works at St. Francis Medical Center as a recreational therapist, serving several patients with diabetes, she never saw her son's disease coming.

"I was shocked, because I had read about the warning signs thousands of times," Rhodes said.

She took Colton to see a doctor when he began urinating about every 30 minutes last spring, following a cold. He was constantly thirsty, she said.

A glucose test showed Colton had diabetes.

Colton was diagnosed with type one diabetes, which is present in only 10 percent of those with the disease, medical professionals say.

In type one diabetes, the body produces little or no insulin, which results in high blood sugar levels. The exact cause is unknown, but doctors believe it is connected to problems with the pancreas or a family history of diabetes.

One out of 600 children have type one diabetes, the American Diabetes Association says.

About 90 percent of those with the disease have type two diabetes. Although this type allows the body to make insulin, it is blocked from using it. Type two is more likely to occur when a person is over 40, suffers from high blood pressure, is overweight, among other factors.

Both types share some symptoms, including greater than normal urination, lethargy, hunger or thirst.

Other type two symptoms are frequent infections, slow healing of cuts, blurred eyesight, numbness or tingling in hands or feet.

Those with type one are dependent on daily insulin shots to live, said Carla Glaus, a diabetes educator at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Type two can be controlled through diet and exercise.

Children with diabetes are given a chance to learn how to manage their disease themselves, exercise and have fun at Camp Daybreak. The two-day camp, in which Southeast Hospital's Glaus participates, is scheduled to start Aug. 4. Some money from Saturday's fundraiser will defray camp costs, Glaus said.

Ultimately, Rhodes' hope is the money will play some part in finding a cure for diabetes. Then Colton can have a "sugar soda."

In a letter written by Rhodes called "Colton's Story," she recalls driving home with him one night after she had bought a Coca-Cola at a convenience store. Colton asked her if he could have a sip, but Rhodes told him no, since it contained sugar.

"Mommy, one day, when I don't have diabetes, I'm gonna drink a sugar soda," Colton said.

This gives her a reason, Rhodes said, to help find a cure.