Those wishing can meet Amanda at a breakfast on Wednesday at Northeast Bank.

AUBURN – Amanda Burgess has been chose as Lewiston/Auburn America’s Walk for Diabetes youth chairperson.

Amanda had just turned 5 when she received her diagnosis of Type I diabetes. She was exhibiting some classic symptoms: frequent urination and thirst, lethargy and constant infections.

The Burgess family has other relatives who also suffer from diabetes, but they have Type II and control their blood sugars with oral medications, so they weren’t sure how Amanda would react.

But in spite of six insulin injections and many blood sugar tests a day, Amanda bounds with energy and enthusiasm and doesn’t mind when her two sisters have ice cream without her. When she attended the business leaders breakfast last year, she showed those present how she tested her blood sugar, countless times a day.

Amanda has a large extended family to share in her care. They plan their daily lives around her diabetes. Whether they have to leave for a trip or run to the supermarket, they must take into consideration when Amanda will have to have her shot, her lunch. They also must be sure that her school has trained staff familiar with diabetes.

Amanda is now 7. To help her better control her blood sugar levels and avoid regular insulin injections, Amanda will receive an insulin pump by the end of the summer.

The mission of the American Diabetes Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. By having a youth chairperson for each of seven walk sites, the association able to show the many faces of diabetes.

Diabetes does not discriminate and can affect young or old. There are approximately 73,000 people in Maine with diabetes. Roughly 5 percent of those are insulin dependent and must receive insulin replacement to stay alive.

Those who would like to learn more about diabetes and meet Amanda can attend a light breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 30, at Northeast Bank, 232 Center St. Those attending should RSVP as seating is limited.

To attend or to learn more about America’s Walk for Diabetes, contact Christine Noble, area manager, American Diabetes Association, at 774-7717 or [email protected]. The Lewiston/Auburn walk will be held on Sunday, Sept. 28, at Central Maine Community College. Amanda’s aunt, Phyllis Burgess, is chairwoman of the L/A walk.