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From Early Detection to Possible Prevention – Type 1 Diabetes Screening Fair

Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
3520 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66606

(Topeka, Kan., Oct. 28, 2010) – The Cotton-O'Neil Clinical Research Center is offering free screenings for relatives of individuals with type 1 diabetes to determine their risk of developing the disease as a part of the TrialNet Natural History Type 1 Diabetes Studies. TrialNet is a network of clinical trial centers dedicated to the study, prevention, and early treatment of type 1 diabetes. The goal of this study is to learn more about how type 1 diabetes develops in "at risk" individuals and how to potentially prevent the onset of the disease.

Individuals eligible to participate in the TrialNet Natural History Study must be:

  • Ages 1 through 45 and have a brother, sister, child, or parent with type 1 diabetes, OR
  • Ages 1 thorough 20 and have a cousin, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, half-sibling, or grandparent with type 1 diabetes.

The purpose of screening is to identify people who are at risk for developing type 1 diabetes by doing a simple blood test that detects auto antibodies that are associated with the development of the disease. Auto antibodies are a sign that your immune system may be attacking the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas; about 3-to-4 percent of family members of individuals with type 1 diabetes have auto antibodies and are at higher risk. Individuals identified as having a greater risk of developing type 1 diabetes may be offered the opportunity to continue on to other phases of the TrialNet Natural History Study, which includes close monitoring for the development of diabetes. They may also participate in studies testing new treatments to delay or prevent the onset of diabetes. If participants develop diabetes during the TrialNet Natural History Study, they may be eligible to participate in studies aimed at slowing the progression of type 1 diabetes. If diabetes can be delayed, even for a few years, those at risk may be able to postpone the difficult challenges of trying to control their glucose levels and the potential development of serious complications.

The Cotton-O'Neil Clinical Research Center will host a TrialNet screening fair on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3520 SW 6th Ave. Topeka, Kan., 66606. Participants may stop by at any time during the event. The screening will take about 30 minutes. The research team, lead by Cotton-O'Neil Clinic pediatric endocrinologist James Casey, M.D., will be giving out information on type 1 diabetes. TrialNet give-aways and refreshments will also be provided to participants. There is no cost. To participate, contact Kayla Carpenter, R.N., CCRC, (785) 368-0781 at the Cotton-O'Neil Clinical Research Center or simply attend the screening event.

Media inquiries should contact: Nancy Burkhardt, director of marketing, Stormont-Vail HealthCare, at nburkhardt@stormontvail.org or (785) 354-6927, to arrange for security clearance