Academic Advisor Rachelle Smith Writes for a Good Cause
Rachelle Smith, Academic Advisor in the College of Nursing, never thought she would have a child diagnosed with diabetes, but she also didn't expect her love for writing to flourish into a series of published books.
In 2004, Rachelle's daughter Cassandra, then 5 years old, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. "There was no family history of diabetes that I was aware of and the diagnosis came as a complete shock," said Rachelle. "It's terrifying to have your child diagnosed with a disease you have no understanding of."
Following Cassandra's diagnosis, Rachelle became involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), but she wanted to do more. To raise awareness about diabetes and to educate her family, friends and her daughter's caregivers, she wrote her first children's book, Katie Goes to the Movies, about diabetes and Cassandra illustrated it. "This book was a fictional book based on my daughter's life story. I wanted people to know that children with diabetes can live a normal life just like any other kid". Smith self-published the first book and had 300 copies printed. The book was so popular and sold so many copies to family, friends, libraries, health centres and schools that she had another 200 copies printed and started her next book.
Last November on World Diabetes Day, Rachelle launched the fifth book in her series, Katie Goes to Kimball Lake: A Book About Diabetes. "Writing books has provided me with so many opportunities I could have never expected. I have had the opportunity to speak at public events, been interviewed by the media and presented at a national children's conference." In addition to writing her children's books about diabetes, Smith continues to participate in events, walks and runs for JDRF and the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA).
All proceeds raised from selling Rachelle's books are donated to the CDA and JDRF to help find a cure for diabetes. In addition to the titles above, she has also published Katie Goes To Camp: A Book About Diabetes, Katie is Not Alone: A Collection of Short Stories About Diabetes and Katie's Sleepover Adventure. All books are available through the University of Saskatchewan library.
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. November 14th is World Diabetes Day.