LifeScan, a Johnson & Johnson company that manufactures OneTouch blood glucose meters, is sponsoring an online sweepstakes for children with diabetes that will offer the opportunity to attend a diabetes camp for free this summer.  

The “OneTouch Laugh & Learn Sweepstakes,” which runs through May 20, is available at www.DiabetesAndKids.com. It will award 30 grand-prize winners a weeklong stay at a diabetes camp of their choice, selected from a list of camps certified by the Diabetes Education and Camping Association. An additional 1,000 second-prize winners will be given a OneTouch UltraMini blood glucose meter in their choice of color at no charge.

The company notes that each year, more than 13,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. In addition, the percentage of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the U.S. has significantly increased. Before 1994, type 2 accounted for less than 5 percent of all newly diagnosed diabetes cases in children, but subsequently has come to represent 30 to 50 percent.

Certified diabetes camps, located across the country, allow children to enjoy all the regular fun of summer camp, while meeting other kids with diabetes.  They also offer parents some much-needed time off from their own duties in the daily management of their child’s condition.

“We’re pleased to be able to provide an opportunity for kids with diabetes to attend summer camp,” says Charles Renfroe, Director of Global Education and Professional Relations at LifeScan.  “These camps offer valuable experiences as they provide a safe and nurturing environment that allows kids to laugh, jump, play and participate in normal childhood activities, helping them realize that diabetes doesn’t have to keep them from the fun of being a kid.”

Children’s diabetes camps are staffed by an onsite medical team as well as by trained, caring counselors, many of whom have diabetes themselves.  Providing skills and experiences that will last a lifetime, the camps teach kids about nutrition, personal management and development, safe participation in a wide range of physical activities, and blood glucose monitoring and insulin delivery.

Parents or guardians who are 21 years or older and are U.S. citizens may enter the OneTouch Laugh & Learn Sweepstakes on behalf of their children with diabetes who are 17 years old or younger.  Entries can be submitted by visiting www.DiabetesAndKids.com and completing the required registration information.  They will then be automatically entered into a random drawing.  There is a limit of one entry per person and per e-mail address, and entries must be submitted before midnight on May 20, 2008 to be included in the drawing.

Winners will be selected on or about May 30, 2008 from all eligible entries, and will be notified by mail.