Free screenings for children’s Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and on Nov. 14, World Diabetes Day, the ASK Program and the Barbara Davis Center at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus will hold free Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease screenings for children ages 2-17, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on the second floor of the center, 1775 Aurora Ct, Aurora.

Parents and guardians throughout the Colorado community are encouraged to have their children screened.

Here are some little-known facts:

• 46 percent of children diagnosed with type one diabetes in Colorado are diagnosed in the emergency room with life threatening high blood sugar, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
• For those testing positive, with comprehensive follow-up and monitoring, this rate has been reduced to only 6 percent
• 92 percent of children with type one diabetes have no family history
• 1 in 30 Denver-area children who've been screened so far are testing positive
• Popular online DNA testing sites are seeing a surge in demand from individuals wanting to "know now" what to watch for re potential medical issues and they are charging around $200. The ASK program provides two of the most vital data points those same people can "know now" about their children at NO COST.

Registration for this event will be found at www.askhealth.org/diabetesday.