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Dance Out Diabetes 2014 Annual Report

 Our Mission To prevent and manage diabetes through dance, education, increased access to care and ongoing support.  Our Objectives

1. To provide an accessible dance venue for participants with or at risk for diabetes to exercise with expert instructors and get health screenings by certified diabetes educators (CDEs).

2. To offer a cultural odyssey of dance genres that appeals to a wide variety of people. 3. To offer diabetes education and self-care information through onsite events and the monthly

curriculum posted on the website and in newsletters. 4. To educate participants about ways to prevent low blood glucose and exercise injuries

during dance events. 5. To provide on-site treatment for anyone with a low blood glucose or a health concern. 6. To provide a social media forum in which participants can connect in between the dances. 7. To study the effects of dance on diabetes prevention, management and self-care.

 Our History Founded as a 501 (c)(3) in 2009 by diabetes nurse educator and author, Theresa Garnero, the vision of Dance Out Diabetes is to have FUN while managing health through being active with dance and education in a relaxed and informal setting. Dance Out Diabetes is an innovative, structured exercise dance program that includes health screenings and several types of dances for all people with diabetes, and their friends and family. Primarily a volunteer-run organization, Dance Out Diabetes aims to prevent and manage diabetes through dance, increase access to health care, education and ongoing support. Participants interact with onsite certified diabetes educators who perform ongoing health checks, and get individual education, resources, and our referral program to local primary care providers. With the problem of diabetes at epidemic proportions, medical professionals and people with diabetes are searching for ways to address a critical yet, missing component of current diabetes prevention and self-care management of diabetes: physical activity. Dance Out Diabetes (DOD) is the missing link: an innovative, diabetes-friendly program for dance that includes all ages, types of diabetes, and family and friends.

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Basic Dance Out Diabetes Program Description  

Bringing the Clinic and Community Together on the Dance Floor Dance Out Diabetes is a fun dance community made up of all ages, abilities, people with and without diabetes, friends, families, volunteers, and certified diabetes educators. Regular monthly dance programs include ongoing health screenings, a 45-minute dance lesson, and different genres of music. Participants have an opportunity to socialize with peers facing similar challenges in a relaxed and informal setting.  Dance Out Diabetes increases access to health care. Thanks to generous individual donors, corporate sponsors and our volunteer-based staffing, we offer no charge opportunities to meet with an on-site certified diabetes educator (CDE) who checks key health markers and answer questions about diabetes prevention and self- management. This includes height, weight, blood pressure, blood sugar (glucose) levels before and after the dance, and estimated glucose average or A1C (the three-month glucose average or weighted mean). Dance Out Diabetes provides personalized feedback to those who attend regularly, and CDEs provide a hypo-rescue area for anyone who experiences low blood sugar (glucose).

 

 

For ongoing support, Dance Out Diabetes offers several resources such as:

Tracking personal health over time An online educational series on nutrition, weight management, preventing complications and diabetes management An online library of dance videos Primary Care Physicians and Endocrinologist referral information for the S.F. area Connection to others with diabetes who are engaged in health wellness

 Program Benefits ▪ Physical activity that is fun using a community-based, medical fitness model ▪ Prevent diabetes for those at-risk, and help manage diabetes for those who have it ▪ Regular dance events for the non-dancer in a supportive environment ▪ A variety of music genres, dance styles and instruction, and free dance venues ▪ Personalized diabetes feedback by monitoring key health markers over time such as

glucose, A1C, blood pressure, and weight ▪ Access to CDEs to answer questions and quality information

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2014 Key Projects and Accomplishments 1. Implemented an outreach campaign to target those with diabetes in several cities within

San Francisco County within places of worship and employment, libraries, insurance providers, diabetes education programs and other non-profit diabetes organizations.

2. Created a monthly Diabetes in Real Life curriculum which is archived on our website. 3. Live streamed dance classes with over 3,000 views of our real-time and archived videos.

Nearly all states in the U.S. have logged on as well as several countries. 4. Provided incentives for attendees in the form of carrot cash to spend at local farmers’

markets. 5. Continued to sustain our innovative community-based organization despite

challenges in funding.

Dance & Clinic Space In 2014, 12 monthly dances with health screenings were held at The African American Art & Culture Complex at 762 Fulton Ave, San Francisco, CA.  Volunteers, CDEs, and Dance Instructors Over 37 volunteers participated in 2014. Some of the volunteers included the registration staff, nurses, and dietitians, CDEs, dance instructors, our DJ and students. Different dances with expert instructors included Hot Hula, Belly Dancing, 80s Dance Party, Zumba Gold, Disco, Latin Fusion, Tai Chi as Dance, Afro Brazilian, 60s & 70s Dance Party, Totally Michael Jackson, and Salsa.

   

 

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Summarizing 2014 Data Program Statistics & Results: comparing the past 4 years We hired an outcomes expert who thoroughly analyzed our data. She made improvements to the way we collect information. As such, comparing past year-to-year outcomes was a challenge as the system in which we gathered information was not identical for years 2011-2014.

Health Metrics Performed

What was checked 2011 2012 2013 2014

A1C 83 140 191 136 Glucose 168 271 535 412

Blood pressure 116 188 398 266 Heights/weights 110 145 288 328 Waist circumference - 135 271 204

Highlights of 2014 Results (findings to be detailed in a diabetes journal) • 171 participants with 54% receiving the health screening at least twice. • 78% had at least 3 classes. • Exercise frequency increased for those who returned. • A1C improvements or maintenance seen across the board, from people with

diabetes to those in the ideal range of less than 7%. • Waist size decreased for returnees when measured at 3 months and 6 months. • 31% of those who self-reported “no diabetes” had A1C values in the prediabetes

range with A1C values equal or above 5.7 percent. This means we had the opportunity for early intervention as they were referred back to their providers for further assessment and action.

Participant Feedback Well beyond the numbers we measure, we most value the sentiments from our participants. One thing is to build then try to sustain a program; the other is the impact on individuals’ lives. This year we asked participants how DOD inspired changed. Here are some of the responses: • “It (DOD) inspires me to take control of my life. You have created a great community to

learn about diabetes.”

• “I already love to dance, but the knowledge about BG decreasing motivates me to move.”

• “I want to be a certain weight and have a good diet. DOD has helped me with this.”

Total comments are summarized in the following main categories (with percentages of comments about that topic):

• Helped to inspire dance and exercise (38%) • Healthy eating, farmers market (26%) • Weight control (13%) • Better health, risk reduction (11%) • Better blood glucose control (6%) • Feel good and community connections (6%)

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Marketing Dance Out Diabetes continues marketing efforts to include:

Ongoing website updates and Facebook page communications Adding monthly events to online community calendars Sending out postcards & flyers to d i a b e t e s c e n t e r s , e n d o c r i n o l o g y a n d p r i m a r y c a r e o f f i c e s , hospitals, community centers and places of worship Monthly newsletters sent to a list of over 400 contacts and archived on the website

 

Thanks to our volunteers who helped to distribute these post cards!

                     

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Dance Out Diabetes Financial Basic Review Our small organization continues to thrive as a result of individual donors, a few grants and a dedicated volunteer base. As we were not awarded a couple of critical grants, and due to significant strain that is common to volunteer-based programs, the Board of Directors decided that 2014 would be a transition year. We originally planned to cease operations at the end of 2014 and as such, our fundraising was not nearly as robust as previous years. Although we were fortunate to continue, it is important to know this as a backdrop. This summary explains our general income and expense. Since our Federal and State returns (990-EZ and 199) are open to public inspection online, this will be an overview. As a small organization without full-time staff, it is best to focus our resources. We are a GoldStar member on www.guidestar.org.

Keep in mind our 2014 model literally pays participants to be physically active. We paid $10 in carrot cash to spend at participating farmers markets for those who attended, got screened, danced then got glucose checked again. Participants received a $277 value health check-up for a suggested $10 admission price (about half of those who attend do so without charge; the rest do the $10 or more). Clearly that is not sustainable without major gift giving and major donors. Without a dedicated individual who focuses on grant-writing and donor relationships, this has been a challenge for our young organization. Now, a little detail. Income: The revenue for 2014 was $22,038 (including $5,038 in individual contributions and $17,000 in sponsorships). Expense: Although the total expenses for 2014 was $50,909 was in excess of our revenue, we used funds in our reserve to cover all expenses. These included:

• $2,700 went back to participants through the carrot cash incentive program. • $14,108 was spent on stipends for diabetes educators, dance instructors and consulting. • $18,000 for executive director stipend (first time receiving a stipend) • $5,344 was spent on medical supplies (A1C kits, gloves, glucose test strips, etc.), dance

studio rental space and liability insurance. • $4,478 for website, graphic design, software, telephone • $1,049 was spent on producing videos and marketing • $1,346 for legal fees • $425 for printing costs • The remaining $3,459 was for computer/internet, music, minor supplies and merchant fees

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Dance Out Diabetes Leadership  

Founder and Executive Director*: Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE

 

 2014 Board of Directors, listed alphabetically by last name:

Michelle Barth, MS, RD, CDE*

Rosie “DJ Charis” Castillo, Treasurer*

Margaret Keyes, Jungian psychologist, type 2

Julisa Nunez

*Founding Board of Director  

Former Board of Directors Aaron Vinik, MD; Carolyn “CC” Brown; Dawn Swidorski, EMPA; Etta Vinik, Med; Jennifer Dorn; Louise Vogel; Nancy J.V. Bohannon, MD, FACP, FACE; Nikki Bengal, BA, RN, PHN, MSN; Sandy Pieschel, MPA, BSW, RN, CDE; Sheri Colberg-Ochs, PhD; Katie Savin, MSW; Richard Peng, MS, MBA, RCEP, HFS, CDE  

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The Dance Out Diabetes Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) Team and Mentored Allied Nursing “Staff” (we have no part or full-time staff):    Arielle Bivas, NP; Beth Munns, RN; Barbara Green, RN, CDE; Carol Baillie, RN, CDE; Catherine Carr, NP; Kathy Solis, RD, CDE; Michelle Barth, RD, CDE; Nikki Bengal, RN, CDE; Susanne Rough, RD; Theresa Garnero, RN, CDE; Ugo Okpo, RN, CDE.  

                                       

Dance Out Diabetes’ Dance Instructors Andrei Cobbs, Kae Montgomery, DJ Charis, Rossy Leon, Theresa Garnero, Arnel Valle, Elisita Castanon-Hill, and Elsa Rivera.

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Dance Out Diabetes Volunteers! We saved the best for last. The heart of our organization is our team of volunteers. They make this effort possible. A heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every one! Afroz Subedar, Alvin Lee, Arielle Bivas, Barbara Green, Barbara Liepman, Bernardo Esperza, Bessy Merino, Beth Munns, Catherine Carr, Chloe Sasakado, Cris Torres, Danielle Traub, Deborah Ukpo, “DJ Charis” Rosie Castillo (BOD), Elsa Rivera,  Grace Uniacke, Hanna Rifkin, Joli Bennett, Julisa Nunez (BOD),  Kae Montgomery,  Kathy Solis, Laura Olivo, Lily Castillo,  Linda Allan,  Margaret Keyes (BOD), Mary Deirdre Martin,  Michelle Barth (BOD), Molly McDonell,  Murcher Jagai, Nate Kramer, Nathaniel Ma, Nick Barth, Paula Guillory, Rossy Leon,  Susanne Rough,  Theresa Garnero (BOD), and  Ugo Ukpo Sr.  

   

Looking Ahead in 2015 2014 was meant to be a transition year. We were no longer going to continue with the monthly dance and health screening events. However, thanks to one of our regular participants Grace Uniacke, who stepped up to the plate to carry forth our efforts, Dance Out Diabetes will continue. When Grace read Theresa’s letter about ending the monthly events, she felt moved to do everything in her power to keep this lifeline going for herself and for so many others who have also benefited from the program.  

2015 Goals include: 1. Continue to provide a monthly dance and health screening opportunity for

participants with or at risk for diabetes. 2. Provide motivation to be active and improve health through ongoing support by the DOD

team and fellow participants. 3. Encourage personal accountability for health with the use of wallet cards that easily track

monthly dance outcomes. 4. Through screening, identify individuals at risk for diabetes with referrals to primary care

providers for early intervention and prevention of diabetes.

                 And  of  course,  more  fun  in  dancing  for  the  health  of  it!