Blue lights illuminate the night
Hailie Velasco, 16, poses with her diabetic alert dog, Rory, a golden doodle. Diagnosed at eight with Type 1 diabetes, Velasco and her mom Lyndsey Neufeld, work with Halo's One Hope to help bring awareness to juvenile diabetes.
Photo courtesy of Lyndsey Neufeld
The Coeur d'Alene Resort, 2019, bathed in azure luminescence In honor of "Light Up the Town Blue" and Halo's One Hope, a diabetes awareness organization. Organizers are hosting the event tonight at six p.m. in from of the clock tower.
In 2019, a crowd of about 100 gathered to support diabetes awareness. Halo's One Hope hosts "Light Up the Town Blue" again tonight at 6 p.m. in front of the Coeur d'Alene Resort.
COEUR d’ALENE — Bringing awareness to childhood diabetes, Halo’s One Hope is holding its annual “Light Up the Town Blue” event tonight at 6 in front of the clock tower at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.
“We want to help newly diagnosed families know that they’re not alone, especially near the holidays,” said Lyndsey Neufeld, secretary for the organization.
Neufeld’s daughter, Hailie Velasco, was diagnosed at 8 years old. Now 15, Hailie manages her diabetes and is pursuing a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo.
“I was a single mom. It was so hard to go through,” Neufeld said. “The community really rallied behind me and helped me to raise money to get Hailie a diabetic alert dog.”
Though the event was canceled last year because of the pandemic, this year organizers are excited to meet in person again. Past years have seen upward of 100 attendees.
The Resort lights up with azure luminescence. The Coeur d’Alene police and fire departments will be on hand to provide entertainment for the kids, and of course more lights for the event.
About 1.25 million Americans have Type 1 diabetes and an estimated 40,000 people will be newly diagnosed each year in the U.S. Children are frequently misdiagnosed, as symptoms can mimic those of the stomach flu, strep throat, a urinary tract infection or even growth spurts.
Hot cocoa (both sugar free and regular) will be served and there will be several giveaways for the kids, Neufeld said. To contact Halo’s One Hope, see their Facebook page. Donations will be accepted at the event.