FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jan. 15, 2003

$1 MILLION RUMSEY INDIAN RANCHERIA GIFT SUPPORTS UC DAVIS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
Pediatric type 2 diabetes, obesity programs to benefit

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — The Rumsey Indian Rancheria Community Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians, has pledged $1 million to UC Davis Children's Hospital to fund an endowed chair for pediatric endocrinology, which is currently headed by Dennis Styne.

The gift, announced at a recognition luncheon today at the UC Davis Medical Center, enables Styne to further develop the hospital's diabetes clinic, which offers children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes a comprehensive approach to fighting the disease. More than 17 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, 16 million of them with type 2 diabetes.

"Through its generous gift, the Rumsey Indian Rancheria Community Fund is helping us to address one of the most serious problems facing children today -- type 2 diabetes, a problem that is reaching epidemic proportions," said UC Davis Children's Hospital Director Anthony Philipps. "We are most grateful for the tribe's support."

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by the body's resistance to insulin and impaired insulin secretion. It can cause kidney failure, limb amputations and blindness in adults, and is a major cause of heart disease and stroke. While most common in adults over age 40, this form of diabetes has increased significantly in recent years in adolescents and children as weight gain has increased and physical activity has decreased. In children, the rise in the incidence in type 2 diabetes is concentrated largely in minority populations, including African-Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans.

"The staggering rise in childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes is a problem that we cannot afford to ignore. We must step up the fight against this preventable disease through educational efforts aimed at promoting better fitness and better dietary practices among children and adolescents," said Paula Lorenzo, Rumsey Tribal Chair. "Dr. Styne is to be commended for his dedication, commitment, and selfless efforts that will not only improve, but also extend countless lives."

The Rumsey Tribe operates Cache Creek Indian Bingo & Casino in western Yolo County and has become the county's largest private employer. The Community Fund has contributed more than $2.5 million to UC Davis, benefiting Styne's work in diabetes and obesity over the past seven years with annual contributions, as well as establishing an endowed chair at UC Davis in California Indian studies and becoming a major supporter of the Mondavi Center.

Styne, a professor of pediatrics and chief of pediatric endocrinology, is an expert in growth and disorders of puberty, thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus in childhood and childhood obesity. He established the childhood and adolescent diabetes and weight management program at UC Davis and developed the Fit-Kid and Fit-Teen healthy lifestyle classes. These 10-week classes use an integrated team of clinical nurse specialists, dietitians, social workers and exercise physiology specialists to help children develop better eating and exercise habits.

"Difficulties in controlling weight gain among children due to increasingly unhealthy lifestyles has led to an increase in type 2 diabetes and related medical conditions," Styne said. "This gift from the Rumsey Indian Rancheria Community Fund will allow us to expand the activities of our team who are dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and other conditions associated with unhealthy dietary habits and reduced activity levels in children. It will allow us to continue to serve the underprivileged children who so often suffer from these diseases but find no resources for treatment."

Styne and others at UC Davis Children's Hospital are conducting research on diabetes and obesity, ranging from ways to help children manage blood sugar levels more easily to identifying obesity genes.

UC Davis Children's Hospital is Northern California's only full-service hospital for children with a level1 pediatric trauma center. Using the most sophisticated technology available, highly trained pediatric specialists and staff provide life-saving care to more than 74,000 children every year from the greater Sacramento area and communities in Northern California, southern Oregon and western Nevada.

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http://news.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu

MEDIA CONTACT:

Martha Alcott, Medical News Office: (916) 734-9027

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