Sunchang-gun Hosts Nation's Largest 'Diabetes Healing Camp'

Published 21 Aug.2023 17:25(KST)

From June 18 to 20, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk Province, held the nation’s largest “Type 1 Diabetes Healing Camp” at Swilland, the county announced on the 21st.

The Type 1 Diabetes Healing Camp is a collaborative project with the Korea Diabetes Association, targeting 102 members and their families of the Type 1 Diabetes Patients Association who were selected through a highly competitive process.

From the 18th to the 20th, the largest nationwide 'Type 1 Diabetes Healing Camp' was held at Sunchang Sheelland. <br>[Photo by Sunchang-gun]

From the 18th to the 20th, the largest nationwide 'Type 1 Diabetes Healing Camp' was held at Sunchang Sheelland.
[Photo by Sunchang-gun]

Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by the destruction of pancreatic beta cells due to genetic, environmental, and immunological factors, resulting in the inability to secrete insulin. Although lifelong management is necessary, if accurate information is known and acquired, there are no difficulties in daily life, and it is a condition that can be overcome with support from family members.

The county organized this program with the hope that patients, who especially need psychological support, would communicate with their families, receive the good energy of clean Sunchang, and have their bodies and minds healed and rejuvenated.

On the first day of the camp, June 18, Kim Young-sik, Deputy Governor of Sunchang, personally visited the camp site to welcome the participants.

Deputy Governor Kim said, “Having Type 1 diabetes is no one’s fault, and I hope the Sunchang Diabetes Healing Camp will be of great help in the recovery of empathy among patients. During the 3-day, 2-night stay, I hope participants will experience various healing activities in Sunchang, enjoy its tastes and charms, and regain their health.”

Especially on the first day, an “ice-breaking” session was held to provide participants with an opportunity to get to know each other better and help build relationships. The “Imagine! Golden Bell” session also received great responses by providing information about Type 1 diabetes.

A fifth-grade student from an elementary school attending the camp said, “Since being diagnosed last year, I was really happy to meet older members of the patients association for the first time at this camp. I will make sure to practice what I learned during the camp in my daily life.”