Bluefield State College second year Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) students have launched a campaign to collect white socks to give to diabetes patients who are victims of Hurricane Katrina. The socks can improve these victims’ ability to avoid dangerous, diabetes-related foot illnesses. Pictured are BSC ADN students (front) Kandra Kirk, (2nd row, left-to-right) Josh Christ, Tabitha Bailey, Sabrina Cook, Angelia Phillips, Melissa Buzzo, Patricia Wright, Jill Smith, and Jennifer Oliver.

“Each year, our second year students launch a service project that addresses adult health challenges,” noted Sandra Wynn, Interim ADN program director. “This project focuses on a chronic illness, diabetes.” Major complications facing diabetics include foot ulcers, a heightened risk for foot infections, and even amputations. “This threat is particularly acute for diabetics affected by Hurricane Katrina because of the unclean living conditions created in the Gulf States resulting from this disaster,” Wynn observed, adding that the American Diabetes Association had launched a campaign to collect and distribute diabetes medications to Hurricane Katrina victims—an initiative that gave rise to the BSC students’ project to collect white cotton socks.

“The students have really embraced the idea,” Wynn continued. “They’ve received support from churches, the region, and the College community. This project helps our students assist people whose lives have been impacted by this disaster, and at the same time, it is a vivid reminder to our students that diabetics need to keep their feet protected.”

The campaign to collect white socks will continue through September 30, after which the socks will be sent to the American Diabetes Association for distribution. Individuals and/or organizations seeking to support the campaign can do so by contacting Professor Wynn by phone (304-327-4213) or e-mail (swynn@bluefieldstate.edu).

September 26, 2005