Alissa, Geoff and Cameron Lundfelt (Alaska) With no pediatric endocrinologist in the state, the trigger for diagnosis of Cameron's monogenic diabetes was a news story sent to the family by his grandmother's sister. Cameron soon became the second child after Lilly to come to the University of Chicago for his transition off insulin. As of February 10, 2007, he is no longer insulin dependent. His blood sugar dramatically improved, his parents report that he is making great strides in his development, even giggling in his sleep.

John, Jennifer and Adysen Colvin (Indiana) A father and daughter with the same genetic flaw, John Colvin, 27, and his daughter Adysen, not yet 1 year old at the time, went off insulin together at the University of Chicago in March 2008. Growing up with diabetes was a struggle," recalled John, who spent several days in a diabetic coma at the age of 13 because he stopped taking his shots. "Adysen's life will be so much better. When she goes to a birthday party she can have a cupcake or even two if she wants. She is a normal healthy child."

Kristen, Steve and Ethan Vartanians (California) Ethan Vartanian of Yorba Linda, California, was just nine weeks old when diagnosed with diabetes in 2007 after a chest cold quickly progressed and put him in intensive care, with a blood sugar level over 800. Once he recovered from his infection his parents had to give him insulin shots every three hours, day and night. A magazine article led his parents to the possibility of monogenic diabetes. The Chicago team confirmed the genetic defect and directed his physicians in Los Angeles as they monitored the transition. "I still get chills about it," said his endocrinologist, Jody Krantz, MD, of Children's Hospital of Orange County. "We gave him his first dose and the blood sugar numbers were perfect. It told me this is going to work."

Douglas, Ailyn and Evan Hemminger (Florida) Just three months old, Evan Hemminger, with a blood sugar level over 800, was diagnosed March 3, 2008. "Diabetes ruled our life," his mother Ailyn remembers. "With infants, you don't know if they're crying because they're just a baby, or if they're low or high." On May 27, his parents found out that Evan had monogenic diabetes. On July 20, 2008, they flew into Chicago. "We gave Evan his last shot of insulin on July 21 at 6:00 am, right before we checked in," Ailyn said. "He never needed insulin again. I can't even begin to describe what a blessing it is."

Source: University of Chicago Medical Center