​TOPP Foundation Awarded 10 Scholarships to Kids with Type 1 Diabetes

The TOPP Foundation, dedicated to supporting families affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D), is thrilled to announce the awarding of ten camp scholarships for summer 2024. These scholarships enriched the lives of children and teens with T1D from Bucks and Montgomery Counties by enabling them to attend diabetes camps. Five scholarships were awarded to campers who attended Camp Nejeda in Newton, NJ, and five to those who attended Camp Freedom at Camp Kweebec in Schwenksville, PA.

These $500 scholarships, awarded through a lottery system, ease the financial burden of camp tuition, enabling families to send their children to specialized diabetes camps like Camp Freedom and Camp Nejeda. Managing T1D daily is complex, and traditional overnight camps often cannot accommodate the unique needs of children with T1D. Diabetes camps provide 24/7 medical care and a safe, enjoyable environment. Renowned for their supportive atmospheres, they help kids build lifelong friendships and develop essential life skills. For children with T1D, these camps are invaluable, offering a space where they feel understood and supported, surrounded by peers and staff who share the same daily challenges of managing their condition. Additionally, diabetes camps are often the first place parents feel comfortable leaving their children, confident they will receive expert medical care around the clock.

Stacy, a parent of a scholarship recipient, shared why Camp Nejeda is so important to her eight-year-old daughter, Jordana: “Camp is a place where she doesn’t feel different. A place where she feels she belongs and is the same as everyone else. It’s wonderful to trust that her medical care and needs are a top priority while she gets to enjoy being a kid.”

Griffin, 11, was initially hesitant to attend camp, but it was “the most amazing, life-changing experience,” shared his mother, Kelly.

Evelyn, 12, attended Camp Freedom, and her father, Mike, expressed his heartfelt gratitude: “My family and I are forever grateful for this organization!”

Founded in 2016, the TOPP (Type One Parent Project) Foundation supports local families affected by T1D through scholarships for diabetes camps and higher education, raising awareness, and funding cure-focused research. Since its start, TOPP has donated $170,500 to research efforts.

In 2018, TOPP launched the Camp Scholarship Program, awarding thirty-one scholarships to date, to enhance the lives of youth with T1D by offering financial aid for specialized overnight diabetes camps. In 2022, they introduced the Higher Education Scholarship and as of this summer, awarded twelve scholarships to local high school seniors with T1D. TOPP operates entirely on donations. To contribute, contact Christine at christine@toppfund.org or visit www.toppfoundation.org.

Unlike the more common Type 2 Diabetes, T1D is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Currently, there is no cure, and the exact causes are still unclear. People with T1D rely on injected or pumped insulin and must meticulously manage their blood sugar levels to stay alive. Living with T1D is a constant balancing act, requiring vigilant attention and careful planning to prevent acute, life-threatening hypoglycemia or long-term damage from hyperglycemia. Symptoms of T1D can develop at any age and often appear suddenly. These may include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss, and blurry vision. If you or your child experience any of these symptoms, consult your healthcare provider.