Resort goes blue for diabetes awareness
<p>Bystanders watch as the Coeur d'Alene Resort switches to blue lights Wednesday night for Diabetes Awareness Week in Coeur d'Alene.</p>
<p>Standing next to her mother Lyndsey Osborn on the Coeur d'Alene Resort lawn, Hailie Velasco, left, reads an excerpt about her fight with Type 1 diabetes. Hailie went before the Coeur d'Alene City Council to ask Mayor Steve Widmyer to proclaim Nov. 16-22 as Coeur d'Alene's Diabetes Awareness Week, which falls in the month of November, Diabetes Awareness Month.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE — Hailie Velasco stepped to a lectern set up near The Coeur d’Alene Resort clock tower Wednesday night and proceeded to start a group countdown.
Velasco, a 10-year-old diabetic whose cheeks were red from braving the chilly temperatures, was joined by nearly 200 people who saw many of The Resort's lights make the climactic switch to blue — symbolizing diabetes awareness — when the countdown ended.
A year ago, when Velasco and her mother, Lyndsey Osborn, approached the city of Coeur d'Alene and Hagadone Corp. about spreading awareness of the disease, they never envisioned this much support.
"I never thought any of this would happen," said Osborn, who spearheaded the event. "We're so very grateful for everything they've done for us."
Hagadone Hospitality President and co-founder Jerry Jaeger read the crowd a proclamation by Coeur d’Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer. It validated the mother and daughter's effort.
"Now, therefore, Steve Widmyer, mayor of Coeur d'Alene, proclaims Nov. 13 though Nov. 20, 2016, as Diabetes Awareness Week in Coeur d'Alene," Jaeger read aloud. "And we encourage all citizens to help fight this disease and its deadly complications by increasing the awareness of the risk factors and providing support to those suffering from diabetes."
Parents, children, supporters and members of the Coeur d'Alene Police and Fire departments were present for the event which included hot cocoa for attendees along with blue glow-in-the-dark bracelets that lit up the grassy area in front of The Resort. November is National Diabetes Month.
Young children and teenagers took turns walking up to the lectern to give their ages and share how long they've had the disease which affects 29.1 million Americans.
Velasco presented a speech dedicated to her fellow diabetics.
"They go through so much on a daily basis, from carb counting, finger poking, calculating shots, pump changes, worry and sleepless nights," Velasco said. "But what matters through this is keeping your head held high and staying strong."