Juvenile diabetes is a disturbingly common illness among youngsters in Utah.
Doctors say those numbers are going up all the time.
The question is, why?
The answers now from News Specialist Angela An as she continues her series "Search for a Cure."
Doctors say if they knew what triggered type one diabetes, they would have a cure by now.
But there is no evidence of any one factor responsible for this illness.
However, there is new evidence that could lead doctors closer to the answers they need.
In this class is an 8-year-old who says
she's no different from any other 3rd grader, except for this.
At exactly 10 every morning, Rachel Harris breaks away,
takes out a snackbar from her backpack,
and does what she needs to, to stay alive.
Rachel is diabetic... and she's not alone.
Rachel Harris / Diabetic: "IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE TO DO. AND THERE'S NOTHING THAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT."
Rachel's 2-and-a-half-year old brother Jacob also has type one diabetes.
The two join thousands of Utah children who live with the same disease.
Christine Harris / Mother: "I REMEMBER HER SITTING AND CRYING, SAYING, MOMMY, I CAN'T DO THIS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. AND I SAID, YES YOU CAN. YOU ONLY HAVE TO DO IT ONE DAY AT A TIME."
Dale Harris / Father: "THESE KIDS ARE JUST GREAT FOR WHAT THEY PUT UP WITH. THEY'RE MY HEROES."
DIANA SAVAGE/JUVENILE DIABETES FOUNDATION: "THERE ARE MORE AND MORE BEING DIAGNOSED EACH YEAR."
Diana Savage is with the Utah Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
She says Utah has more diabetes Type One cases per capita than most states.
And, oddly, many cases have similar beginnings.
Diana Savage / Juvenile Diabetes Foundation: "THAT OFTEN SOME OF THE KIDS HAVE HAD AN ABSESSED TOOTH, SEEMS REALLY COMMON, STREP THROAT, SOME KIND OF ILLNESS THAT PROCEEDED IT. BUT RIGHT NOW WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TRIGGER IS."
Endocrinologist Mike Swinyard
says ongoing research is trying to determine those trigger effects, which are still unknown.
But brand new research is showing more clearly just what types of people are more prone to diabetes than others.
Dr. Mike Swinyard / Endocrinologist, Primary Children's Diabetes Center: "A LOT OF NORTHERN EUROPEANS ARE AT HIGHER RISK FOR TYPE ONE DIABETES, PARTICULARLY TRUE IN FINNISH POPULATIONS AND SCANDINAVIAN POPULATIONS. AND A LOT OF OUR FELLOW UTAHNS ARE FROM THOSE COUNTRIES, THEIR ANCESTRY."
While Jacob is learning too soon in life why he needs insulin shots,
Rachel knows the reasons all too well.
Rachel Harris: "BECAUSE IF I DON'T DO IT, MY BODY WILL START, MY BODY WILL START DYING."
We told you last night about exciting new research that could soon lead to a cure for type one diabetes among children.
That research could affect thousands of families in Utah, where diabetes seems to strike more often than it should.
Next Wednesday, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation will hold a special event called Diabetes Research Update 2000.
It will take place at the Ogden Marriott On February 16th, at 7 pm.
