WellCare Donates $5,000 To Support Children With Diabetes In Northeast Florida

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Aug. 6, 2013 - PRLog -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc.  is working with the Jacksonville chapter of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to help improve the lives of children with diabetes in Northeast Florida. WellCare donated $5,000 to support Camp JADA, an annual summer camp for children ages 6 – 12 who have type 1 diabetes, and Family Link events in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. John’s counties. Family Link events bring people together to connect and create a community of understanding, while learning more about diabetes.

With approximately 1,000 diabetic children in the Jacksonville area, Camp JADA and Family Link offer these children and their families the opportunity to share experiences, while developing the independence and confidence necessary to successfully manage the disease.

“When a child is diagnosed with diabetes, it affects the whole family, and we want to help every family adjust to life with this disease,” said Stephanie Rush, manager, Mission Delivery for the ADA. “We are grateful that WellCare is joining us in making a long-term difference in these children’s lives.”

“WellCare understands the challenges of diabetes and the importance of preventive care,” said Dr. Michael Orlosky, senior state medical director, WellCare of Florida. “We are committed to helping children and their families access the health care and information they need to live happier, healthier lives.”

To learn more about Camp JADA and upcoming Family Link events in Northeast Florida, contact The ADA’s Jacksonville office by calling 904-730-7200 or visiting www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/local-offices/jacksonville-florida/.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
WellCare Health Plans, Inc. provides managed care services targeted to government-sponsored health care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, and the aged, blind, and disabled, as well as prescription drug plans. The company serves approximately 2.7 million members nationwide as of March 31, 2013. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com.

About American Diabetes Association, Jacksonville
The American Diabetes Association is committed to providing educational information and referral services for children with diabetes and their families, advocating for fair and quality treatment of children with diabetes in schools, and increasing federal funding for diabetes research. With guidance from Camp JADA staff, our campers are encouraged to participate in a variety of fun activities while developing the independence and confidence necessary for successfully managing their diabetes. Sharing experiences with other campers who live a similar lifestyle encourages acceptance and promotes a positive self-image, while also achieving your child’s main goal in attending camp – having fun! The mission of the ADA is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. ADA Diabetes Camps fulfill a big part of our mission leaving a long-term, positive impact on children’s lives – and families. The American Diabetes Association involves families year-round through Family Link. To learn more, visit: www.diabetes.org/families or www.diabetes.org/planetD.