About Brandon

Brandon Scott DeRosa was born July 13, 1991 in Dunedin, Florida weighing in at 9 lbs. 2 oz. He moved to Chicago at 8 months to be closer to his Grandma and Grandpa. He moved back to Florida at 8 years old where he remained until moving to Cincinnati to attend Lakota West High School.  Brandon graduated from Lakota West in 2009 and then attended Marshall University for most of his freshman year.

Brandon enjoyed soccer and baseball as a young child. He took great pride in playing for West Lawn Little League Reds. As he grew to a teenager, he enjoyed music, friends, and socialization, but NEVER forgot his family, especially his mom, Tracey, and his brother, Jacob. Brandon went to many different schools growing up, but never had a problem adjusting to a new life and new friends. He made friends everywhere he went. GOOD friends. He kept those relationships going even with distance.

Brandon was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 15 on February 9, 2007. His diabetes was managed by a wonderful team from Cincinnati Children’s. He made friends with all of them as well and continued to keep in touch, even when he went to college.

Brandon developed a respiratory infection in September 2009, which developed into H1N1 through October of that year. He returned to school just before Christmas break, but never quite seemed back to 100%. Brandon left us on April 7, 2010. His cause of death was complications with diabetes, coronary failure. Brandon had so much love for life. He had big plans. He lived everyday like it was his last. We are so happy he did because he left us far too soon.

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes are very difficult diseases to live with for family and friends of those who are affected. Brandon died because no one around him understood the disease and failed to realize the drastic low he was entering. It is so important that we educate people about the signs, warnings, and severity of this disease so that diabetes doesn’t continue to take the lives of our loved ones.

Some facts about Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved.

Affects Children and Adults
Type 1 diabetes strikes people at any age. It comes on suddenly, causes dependence on injected or pumped insulin for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications.

Needs Constant Attention
To stay alive, people with type 1 diabetes must take multiple insulin injections daily or continually infuse insulin through a pump. They must also test their blood sugar by pricking their fingers for blood six or more times a day. While trying to balance insulin doses with their food intake and daily activities, people with this form of diabetes still must always be prepared for serious hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) reactions, both of which can be life-limiting and life threatening.

Not Cured By Insulin
While insulin injections or infusions allow a person with type 1 to stay alive, they do not cure diabetes, nor do they necessarily prevent the possibility of the disease's devastating effects, which may include: kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, amputations, heart attack, stroke, and pregnancy complications.

Difficult to Manage 
Despite paying rigorous attention to maintaining a meal plan and exercise regimen and always injecting the proper amount of insulin, people with type 1 diabetes face many other factors that can adversely affect efforts to tightly control blood sugar levels. These factors include stress, hormonal changes, periods of growth, physical activity, medications, illness/infection, and fatigue.

 

Diabetes in the Untied States

  • As many as three million Americans may have type 1 diabetes.
  •  Each year, more than 15,000 children and 15,000 adults - approximately 80 people per day - are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the U.S.

 

Warning Signs

Warning signs of type 1 diabetes may occur suddenly and include:

  • Extreme Thirst
  • Frequent Urination
  • Drowsiness or lethargy
  • Increased Appetite
  • Sudden Weight Loss
  • Sudden Vision Changes
  • Sugar in the Urine
  • Fruity Odor on Breath
  • Heavy or labored breathing
  • Stupor or Unconsciousness

 Information Collected from JDRF Webpage: www.jdrf.org

 

It's the Life in the Years!

*