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Children with diabetes enjoying Camp Ho Mita Koda in 2004. Dr. Henry John, who was the first U.S. doctor to use insulin clinically, founded the camp on land he owned in Geauga County.

(Plain Dealer file photo)

BEACHWOOD, Ohio - Camp Ho Mita Koda, the nation's oldest summer camp for children with diabetes, has been closed by the Diabetes Partnership of Cleveland, which announced last week it was dissolving.

The board of the non-profit that has provided community services to adults and children with diabetes since 1954, voted April 5 to end operations, according to a press release posted on its website.

The organization said it would "immediately begin efforts to launch two separate groups that would oversee and operate the annual diabetes summer camp for children, Camp Ho Mita Koda, and the community programs that include insulin distribution and ongoing diabetes self-management education and support for living with the chronic disease."

The cost of owning and operating the 73-acre camp in Newbury and "profound changes in the national healthcare landscape and the evolving needs of people with diabetes and their families" led to the decision, the release said.

"In effect, we're going out of business," board chairman William Murman said in the release. "It's a sad day for all of us who have dedicated our time and talents to this cause. But we also know that in this case, the most difficult step can be the right step in finding a better way forward."

A meeting for those interested in saving and operating the community programs is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 at the organization's office at 3601 South Green Road, Beachwood

A meeting for people interested in saving and operating the summer programs at the camp in Geauga County is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, April 24 at the camp, 14040 Auburn Road.

Founded in 1929, Camp Ho Mita Koda is the oldest camp for children with diabetes. Programs are specially designed for campers age 4 to 17 to self-manage their diabetes through personal responsibility, healthy choices and a life-long network of friends.

Camp alumni and supporters are rallying to save the camp.

Supporters posted statements of sadness and outrage on the camp Facebook page.

"Ho Mita Koda was the only place a child with Diabetes didn't feel like an outsider," wrote one supporter. "We all belonged... This camp was a huge part of my childhood and I worked there too...This is heartbreaking."

Camp supporters created a Save Camp Ho Mita Koda Facebook page and plan to attend the April 24 meeting.

According to the partnership's federal tax reports for the 2013, 2014 and 2015, expenses exceeded revenue and assets and endowment funds declined, primarily due to operating the camp.

The organization "has been challenged in recent years by declining summer camp enrollment, the increasing reluctance of donors to support single-issue chronic disease causes and the growing trend for health systems to focus on lifestyle and chronic disease management such as Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support classes, duplicating some Partnership programs," executive director Tom Bennett said in a statement.

In a question and answer section on its website, the organization said it expects to "wind down" operations in about 90 days. It it contacting everyone it works with, including donors and corporate partners.

The original donation of the camp land in Newbury specified that it must be used for diabetes-related activities. If a new group steps up the organization said it plans to donate the land.

Anyone with questions about programs should contact Bennett at 216-591-0800 or tbennett@diabetespartnership.org.

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