The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG -- In this holiday season, typically abounding in sweet confections like no other, Waits- burg High School senior Heidi Miller is taking a serious look at how those treats can significantly af- fect the lives of individuals that struggle with diabetes. Miller, whose senior project centers on learning more about the disease, has orga- nized a night of live music at the Coppei Café on January 3, with hopes of raising money for diabetes research and sharing some of her new-found knowledge with the community.

Miller was drawn to learn more about diabetes after her grandmother was misdiag- nosed with the disease a few years ago. Her grandmother was prescribed a medication that caused diabetes-like symptoms and the doctors treated her as if she had dia- betes. As Miller watched her grandmother prick her finger to check her glucose levels and avoid certain foods, she realized she knew relatively little about the disease.

Though her grandmother didn't actually have the disease, Miller says she knows several people that do, including friends and classmates. Her mother was even diagnosed with ges- tational diabetes. "It's very common, but people don't seem to know a lot about it," said Miller. "It doesn't get attention like breast cancer and other things, but it's just as life altering."

Miller's hypothesis is that diabetes would drastically affect a person's lifestyle by adding difficulties and short- ening their life span. "So far my research has proven that true. Diabetes affects nearly every organ - even the skin," she said.

Miller meets weekly with her mentor, Dietitian Jody Martin, of Dayton General Hospital, to learn more about the disease and its effects. In addition to writ- ing a ten-page paper, Miller has volunteered at a Step Out for Diabetes Walk and is organizing the upcoming fundraiser. As part of her on-site research, Miller will work with Martin to spend one day living as if she has Type 1 diabetes. "I'll fol- low a Type 1 meal plan, give myself shots, test my blood sugar and counteract all exercise with eating," she said. She will also interview two people who live with the disease.

"My goal is just to spread the word and make sure people are informed about the disease. Right now I'm making posters and bugging everyone to show up to the fundraiser," said Miller. The live music fundraiser will take place at Coppei Coffee at 6 p.m. on January 3. Mill- er has made ribbons and will distribute information. Dia- betes research donation boxes will be available. "People can just eat, drink and enjoy the music . . . all for a good cause," said Miller.

Guest musicians include the Kuykendall bluegrass band, guitarist and singer Teagen Larsen and guitarist and composer DJ Leroue. Coppei Coffee has also agreed to donate a portion of the night's food and drink proceeds toward the event.