About Us

Deck the Halls and the Candlelight Celebration are the annual fundraising events of the Women's Board of the Central Ohio Diabetes Association (CODA). Every year since 1981, the Women's Board has helped to raise money so that CODA can continue and expand its services to children with Type 1 diabetes.

Type 1, or juvenile diabetes is the most prevalent chronic childhood disease, afflicting one in every 400 children, and is the leading cause of preventable blindness, advanced kidney disease and limb amputations. Until there is a cure, it is vitally important that kids with Type 1 diabetes learn self-care skills such as testing their blood sugar, giving themselves insulin, and the importance of diet and exercise.

The money raised by the CODA Women's Board provides support for CODA's summer camp programs, where children ages 3 to 17 can enjoy a traditional outdoor camp experience under the supervision of doctors, nurses, registered dietitians, and counselors, many of whom live with diabetes themselves. While families pay $295 per camper, the actual cost of a week at camp is $1,631. Over 40% of campers need some form of financial aid to attend, and the Women's Board strives to ensure that no child is turned away.

The Women's Board also awards $6000 in college scholarships each year to students with diabetes who show academic excellence, financial need, and a track record of good diabetes management. Some of these scholars go on to careers as doctors, nurses, or diabetes educators, giving back what they have been helped to achieve by the generous supporters of the Women's Board.

Since our founding in 1981, the Women's Board has raised and donated over $1 million to CODA. We are a diverse group of volunteers whose lives have all been touched by diabetes: For some of us, it's our children,for some our husbands, ands some of us have the disease ourselves. We have all found not only a cause we can work for, but friendship, inspiration, and hope, as well. We thank the generous homeowners, floral designers, sponsors, donors, and guests who make Deck the Halls a reality.

To learn more about the Central Ohio Diabetes Association's services or the work of the Women's Board, click on www.diabetesohio.org. For information about joining us as we open doors in the fight against diabetes, e-mail us at contact@deckthehallsfordiabetes.org.

Camper photos courtesy of Emilee Schuermann