Views from the Shore
By Brian Cahill
As director of marketing for Shore Physician Group (SPG), I have become good friends with endocrinologist, Dr. Matt Corcoran. Dr. Corcoran specializes in Type 1 Diabetes and treats patients from teens to adults. After his niece was diagnosed as Type 1 diabetic at age 3, he was inspired to help educate and treat people living with diabetes so they could live their best life. In addition to being a physician, Dr. Corcoran, along with his wife Jody, run five-day Diabetes Training Camps (DTC) every year for adults and teen athletes with T1D. And, they run virtual programming throughout the year, as well.
“We developed DTC to help athletes of all levels learn to manage their diabetes without limiting their potential,” said Dr. Corcoran. “This is not a diabetes camp. This is a sports and fitness camp for people who happen to have diabetes. Through learning, training and connecting with each other and with our expert staff, each camper learns strategies to thrive while effectively managing their disease.”
Last year, I attended the camp in Atlantic City to experience and see for myself the impact that DTC has on people and their lives. It inspired me so much that I decided to attend the camp again this year and participate in an hour-long training class with the campers. (Among the challenging workouts was a race against my intern, Kelly Schneider…which of course I won! Hah!)
At the camp, I met the participants and listened to them share their incredible stories about living with Type 1 Diabetes. One camper, Johanah Co, shared her inspiring story which touched my heart after hearing about the struggles she faced. Johanah traveled nearly 9,000 miles and almost 17 hours from the Philippines to attend the camp this year. Johanah was diagnosed when she was just 13 years old after experiencing symptoms such as sudden weight loss, blurred vision, and severe dehydration.
“As a teenager, it never really resonated with me that this was lifelong and there would be no end to it. I initially saw it as another homework assignment.” Johanah explained. “But I quickly learned how serious it was.”
Johanah explained that in the Philippines, there is no health insurance, which made medications and treatments expensive for her family. “I felt like a physical, financial and emotional burden on my entire family. This made this life changing diagnosis hard to cope with.” said Johanah.
With the magic of Google, she was able to find the Corcoran’s training camp and thanks to financial assistance from Diabetes Training Camp Foundation’s scholarship program, she could attend the camp this year. “Without the scholarship, I would not be here, and I am so appreciative of this opportunity,” added Johanah.
After meeting and participating in the class with Johanah, I saw through her smiles and tears the impact DTC had on her personally. She added, “It’s so nice to be surrounded by people who are here to help you succeed. Everyone from coaches to fellow campers has been so welcoming, understanding, and kind. My confidence to manage my diabetes is so much stronger than before camp, and now I have a community of people who are supporting me and helping me live with diabetes.”
Diabetes Training Camp is a non-profit that only operates with the generous support and donations of its sponsors and contributors. This Nov. 3 is their sixth annual fundraiser being held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City.
If you would like to learn more about DTC, its programs and scholarship information, visit www.diabetestrainingcamp.com
Brian Cahill is the Director of Marketing for Shore Medical Center and Shore Physicians Group. He is also on the Board of the Somers Point Business Association and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at Stockton University.
