Whitney Plagge has lived with Type 1 diabetes for 18 years. For the first five years after she was diagnosed, she knew few other diabetics and had scant opportunity to discuss her disease with people of her own age.

At age 10, she attended a camp for young diabetics in Boone. There, for the first time, she was surrounded by people who understood the challenges she faced.

“Until I went to that camp, I felt really alone,” Plagge, senior in kinesiology and health, said.

Now 22, Plagge wants to spare college-aged diabetics the kind of isolation she endured as a child.  This is one of her reasons for founding the ISU Diabetes Association, which meets at 5 p.m. Monday in the Memorial Union Multicultural Center.  

The group will focus on informing students about diabetes and providing support to ISU-affiliated diabetics, though it will also be open to non-diabetics and those unaffiliated with Iowa State.

Plagge, Emily Steinweg, the association’s treasurer, and Pam Owenson, the club’s adviser, met through their association with Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, where they all receive diabetes treatment.

Steinweg, senior in civil engineering, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes three months ago, is glad that she and fellow diabetics will have a forum for their concerns.

“It’s always nice to know someone who’s going through the same thing, so you can ask questions and share experiences,” Steinweg said.

While giving diabetics a chance to talk is a major part of the ISU Diabetes Assocation’s mission, members also intend to do more. If enough students are available, they will participate in the 2011 Walk to Cure Diabetes on April 9 in Des Moines.

On April 11, they will host a speaker from a diabetes-education program called A1C Champions.  They may also ride in the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure, a cycling fundraiser for diabetes research that will be held June 11 in Des Moines.

Owenson, an administrative specialist in agricultural education and studies, hopes that all the group’s efforts — whether they’re directed toward education, support or fundraising — will show diabetics that it’s possible to live a fulfilling life with the disease.

“Diabetes is manageable,” Owenson said. “There’s no cure, but you can manage it.”