Tricks, Treats, and Cautionary Tales at Diabetes Halloween Party

By Jeff Raymond
November 1, 2006

A routine lesson about diabetes turned into a morning of fun the day before Halloween for 55 Baltimore elementary school students, thanks to the Student Government Association (SGA) at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Painting pumpkins, making masks, squishing up their own play goo, and having their faces painted were all part of the festivities for the youngsters.

But first the students, who all came from Belmont Elementary School, learned that actress Halle Berry, musician B.B. King and former Orioles pitcher Jason Johnson all have diabetes. Some already knew that diabetes can cause blindness and the loss of extremities. The students reviewed the difference between type 1 diabetes (the body doesn’t make enough insulin to properly utilize sugar) and type 2 (the body can’t properly use the insulin it makes). They also learned that type 2 diabetes typically strikes adults, but it is becoming more prevalent in teens. Both groups can help prevent its onset by eating right and exercising.

Then they had fun.

Of course, the biggest treat of all was trick-or-treating in the building. Several administrators, staff, and faculty had treats ready for the students, who filled their bags with candy, scary teeth, candy, pencils, and more candy. Cynthia Boyle, PharmD, director of the Experiential Learning Program and assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, came to her office door dressed as Judge Judy, complete with gavel.

The idea for the festivities came from Christine Lee, PharmD, coordinator of the Maryland P3 Program, which helps diabetes patients work with their pharmacists to better manage and control their disease. She had seen a similar diabetes Halloween program as an undergraduate at St. John’s University and suggested trying it at the School of Pharmacy. In addition to helping educate children about the disease, she said, it helped give kids a chance to score some Halloween candy in a safe environment.

John Watts, a fourth-year pharmacy student and president of the SGA, embraced the idea and found plenty of interest for it at the student council. The SGA came up with funding for buses to bring the students to campus and scared up donations from alumni and other local sponsors to cover the costs of supplies. Faculty agreed to help with the trick-or-treating, and Academic Coordinator Dana Moat contacted Belmont Elementary to bring students to campus. Next year, Watts said, he’d like to expand the program to include students from the nearby Ronald McDonald House or other local schools.