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 endocrinologist Dennis Styne.
The gift, announced at a recognition luncheon Wednesday 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.
Rise in Rates
Styne, a professor of pediatrics and chief of pediatric endocrinology, is an expert in growth and disorders of puberty, thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus and childhood obesity.
"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."
He added, "It will allow us to continue to serve the underprivileged children who so often suffer from these diseases but find no resources for treatment."
Type 2 diabetes can cause kidney failure, limb amputations and blindness in adults, and is a major cause of heart disease and stroke.
While this form of diabetes is most common in adults over age 40, it 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 type 2 diabetes is mostly concentrated in minority groups such as African-Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans.
"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.
The Rumsey Tribe
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.
"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 Hos-pital Director Anthony Philipps. "We are most grateful for the tribe’s support."