December, 2016 Edition 
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Mischievous & Merry Memes 

It wouldn't be the holidays without a few Santa-sized belly laughs to lighten things up. Enjoy a large variety of both silly and moving memes

Plus how about "A Silly Christmas Poem" courtesy of Diabetes Daily to add a little more jolly in your holly!

The Holiday Hullabaloo's   
No matter what type of diabetes you or loved ones have, the holidays and the emphasis on treats, food and festivities can be a handful. If you're juggling Type 1, peruse these thoughtful survival tips.  Or, if its Type 2 that you face, Mommyhood Bytes offers up a few nuggets of wisdom.

Or, the Portland Tribune offers a timely article on "Food as Medicine!"

National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
December 16
Why hold back? There is no reason to restrict wearing the quintessential ugly Christmas sweater to just this one day of the year. Break one out for the entire season.  Quick dig in your closet; better yet, dig in your dear Grandma's closet for that one-of-kind show-stopper sweater that will win you the 2016 crown of ugly sweaters ! R ead more about the history of the Ugly Christmas Sweater from Time magazine, or learn how to make one yourself! 

Winter Solstice 
December 21   
With the short, dark days open us - especially here in the Pacific Northwest - the Sunlight Institute reminds us of some links between both Type 1 & Type 2, sunlight exposure and Vitamin D. The Sun Community News offers some additional summaries of studies. The bottom line? Let's all head to Hawaii in the name of treatment and prevention. 

Wave Your Magic Wand! 
Seattle through 
January 1, 2017
This year, the 24th annual gingerbread village at the Seattle Sheraton Hotel will feature a magical wizardry theme. Remember, all donations benefit the Northwest JDRF!

CDBC Camp Sign Up! 
January 1st @ Midnight
Another year has passed and its already that time of year...time to sign up for Chris Dudley Basketball Camp 2017! Per usual registration is New Year's Eve at midnight, your time zone, as the clock strikes the New Year. Since Camp is limited to 75 campers with priority given to returning campers, spots for new campers are very competitive and there is always a waitlist. Read in depth about our lifechanging one-of-a-kind Camp here

DiabUDDIES Dash
Save the Date - April 22, 2017
Looking for a do-good-and-have-fun-while-you're-at-it Christmas present? Or inspired to help yourself or someone else get back on an exercise routine? Sign up yourself, friends, family and co-workers for the Diabuddies Dash in Keizer Oregon which will benefit CDFEarly bird prices are good through December 31 so hurry, plus there is an additional $5 off for a group of 20 or more! Choose from 5K or 10K. Learn more, be active and get inspired! 

Recipe of the Month: 
Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies 

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups King Arthur Gluten-Free Flour
  • 1/2 cup almond flour or finally ground almonds, blanched or unbalanced
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt 
  • 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum  
Instructions:
  1. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) two baking sheets. Preheat the oven to 350°F (for drop cookies; if you're making cutout cookies, don't preheat the oven).
  2. Beat  the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla stir until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl and stirring again briefly.
  3. Add the dry ingredients, stirring just until the dough comes together.
  4. Click here for more instructions...
En joy

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A Hand for the Homeless with Diabetes 

CDF has taken stock of a serious issue: diabetes among the homelessness, right here in Oregon. Executive Director Joey Wakem has always seen part of CDF's mission as not just being a recipient of support for those with diabetes, but also as having an eye on awareness for giving back to the larger community when opportunities arise. With homelessness unfortunately on the rise, blending the two important causes together seems like a good starting point and natural fit. Through our new program called Test Don't Guess we will be reaching out directly to people experiencing homeless and diabetes simultaneously.

"Test Don't Guess"
Our CDBC mantra "Test Don't Guess" is an appropriate message and motto to likewise spread among a population who may not usually benefit from diabetes support and guidance. Through this program, each individual who is homeless will receive a sealable container containing the following: a pair of socks, a testing meter, test strips, alcohol swabs, and medical ID bracelet. This will serve the double purpose of not only equipping people with supplies, but also encouraging them to maintain a heightened awareness of their own medical condition.

In 2015, approximately...

* 3,801 people experience homelessness at least one point in time in the Portland/Gresham/Multnomah County area alone. (Source:City of Portland)

* 564,708 experienced homelessness at least one point in time nationwide. (Source National Alliance to End Homelessness)

Willing and Able, Wallace Medical Concern
CDF determined that Wallace Medical Concern, a local nonprofit low income health provider, would be an excellent partner in this mission and best suited to distribute containers to those in need.  Wallace Medical Concern aims to offer  "an open door to exceptional health services and connections that support individuals and their families in healthy living." CDF appreciates and embraces an equally high service standard and approach.

Starting in January, this program will serve over 400 local diabetics! The ultimate goal is to continue to expand, as data is gathered to determine both the level and scope of the overall need. Both Chris Dudley and his wife, Chris Love Dudley, are extremely excited to be providing this program to the  Portland  area. If it is as successful as we know it is going to be, we hope to dream BIG and considering growing it bigger throughout the nation!


To learn more about homelessness and diabetes,  check out Living on the Street with Diabetes: How Can We Help?  
by Amy Tenderich, Diabetes Mine

Where Are They Now
Ivanna Warren 
1. How many years did you attend camp and what was the last year that you attended? 
It's funny. I clearly remember my first day at Camp Dudley my first year, and I clearly remember not wanting to leave on my last day of Camp my final year. For all of the time in-between, camp just felt like life. It felt like visiting family, so I wasn't keeping track of the years. Everyone in my life came to know that for a week over the summer, I went to visit my "Dudley family" in Oregon. Now, talking to my "real family", we've identified the count to be seven years. My last year of attendance was 2005.
2. What is your favorite camp memory? 
I have so many great memories from camp, but one really stands out. It was my first day at camp. We were meeting our group members and getting a chance to do lay-ups. For me, basketball has always come naturally and by the time I made it to camp I had been playing high level basketball for several years, so asking me to do lay-ups was like asking me to eat as many French fries as I wanted without consequence. I loved it! It was easy and fun. I didn't even realize that I stood out because I was in my own little world; owning the game I loved. I was doing tricks: 360 lay-ups and trying to dunk on the small courts during our down time...I look up and all the adults are looking at me. At the time (and in some ways, still to this day) I was very quiet. My coach pulls me to the side and leans down to match my 10-year-old height. He tells me that they're going to move me to a new group. I was used to playing with older kids, so it didn't even register to me that that was odd. It was amazing to see how the 16 and 17-year-olds responded to me...Long story short, I really enjoyed myself that week of life, and it set the stage for all of my following summers. All I knew at the end of that week was that I LOVED  Camp Dudley!
3. Did you learn anything at camp to improve your diabetes care?  
I think one of my major take-aways from camp was realizing that carb counting could be a way of life. It didn't have to be something that made me different or stand out. I could be a diabetic and still be like everyone else. My story was both simple and complex. I was diagnosed on my birthday at age 7, so from an early age, I felt like I couldn't be like all the other kids my age. I had to grow up quickly. I had to be different. Camp taught me that I could be a diabetic basketball player, I could be  just a kid , and I could be  just like  everyone else. It was a very important and impactful lesson for me to learn.
4. Do you stay in contact with anyone you met while attending camp?
I tend to keep to myself just by nature. I have kept up with one or two former campers, but that was not because I had a terrible experience or because others didn't reach out. Now that I'm older and coming into my voice, I would love to rectify that problem. Where is everybody?!
5. Do you have any advice for present or future campers? 
Allow yourself to accept all the wonderful things that Camp Dudley can offer. Like I mentioned, camp became life for me. It became family. Sometimes-even to this day-I find myself thinking: "Man, I need to get ready for camp." Camp truly changed my world, and I never would have known that it could if I didn't take the risk. So, I guess, the short answer to that question is never be afraid to jump in. You can learn what you need to learn to do anything you want to do in life. Don't let diabetes (or fear) become a roadblock.

*Tell us about yourself since your camper days....did you attend college and where...are you working...are you married...do you have children...anything else you would like to share...

Well, I call myself an old lady, but it's definitely a term of endearment. I am proud to say that I have overcome many challenges and lived to talk about them.
 
Yes! I attended college and basketball was a huge part of that experience. I was able to participate in both NCAA and NAIA Division I basketball. After a stint at Loyola Marymount University, I received my bachelor's degree from Concordia University Irvine. I later went on to receive two graduate level degrees from Chapman University.
 
I currently work as a School Psychologist for a school district on the Central Coast of California (my home state!). No husband or children yet, but that is definitely the next chapter in my life's book. I'm looking forward to it...

Chris Dudley Head shot PT
Happ y H o lid ay s From C D F!
 
Sincerely,

Chris Dudley and  
Chris Dudley Foundation