Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) March 11, 2014
As many as three million people in the United States have Type 1 diabetes, and author Quinn Nystrom is one of them. Diagnosed as a teenager, Nystrom is releasing her first book, IF I KISS YOU, WILL I GET DIABETES? for River Place Press on Saturday, March 15th at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Expo in New York City. Inspired by her teenage self, the book is her first-hand account of negotiating life with a chronic illness. Nystrom hopes this book will provide answers to the many questions and issues that arise in a teenager or young adult’s life, who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
“This is the book I wish I HAD when growing up with diabetes,” explains Nystrom. “While at the time, there was plenty of information providing the latest facts and figures, but it didn’t answer the questions I had as a teenage girl. I was devastated, scared and alone and had no idea how I was going to get through seventh grade, let alone the rest of my life.”
Nystrom grew up in Brainerd, Minnesota with her younger brother Will who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was five years old. By age ten, she was fundraising and going door to door in her small town to raise money for a cure for her baby brother’s disease. However, three years later, Nystrom was diagnosed with Type 1 and her goal to finding a cure became a lifelong mission. She was named the National Youth Advocate for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) at age sixteen and spent a year traveling across the country. Her message was simple; find a cure for diabetes and support the millions of Americans living with it.
"We are very proud to be a part of Quinn’s new book,” explains Chip Borkenhagen of River Place Press. “We understand, all too well, the seriousness of diabetes in our society, and believe this book will go a long way in giving hope to the thousands of young people who have been diagnosed with it. It definitely shines a light on the angst and frustration that youth experience with this disease."
Currently a graduate student at Syracuse University in Communication's Management, Nystrom attends S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, ranked #1 in the country with alums such as Bob Costas and Dick Clark. Aside from her studies, Nystrom devotes her full time efforts to diabetes advocacy and has been recognized nationally for her contributions. As a public speaker she travels across the country to diabetes camps, convention halls, corporate offices, United States Congress and yes, The White House. Her company, Qspeak, allows her to advocate, consult and raise funds for diabetes. A portion of the books proceeds goes to the non-profit she founded called Dateline Diabetes, whose mission is to provide support for people living with diabetes.
Nystrom currently lives in Minneapolis where she enjoys skating on the lakes, making her monthly dinner club with childhood friends, and volunteering for church.
Publisher: River Place Press (2014) ISBN: 978-0-9831785-8-3 Paperback: 104 pages
Available at http://www.QuinnNystrom.com
