By The Survivors Club Staff
January 29, 2010

Zippora Karz was a 21-year-old member of the New York City Ballet in 1987, when she began to experience extreme thirst, constant hunger and frequent urination that soon began to interfere with her performances.

The subsequent diagnosis of type 1 diabetes resulted in the need to carefully balance her treatment with her dance regimen and career development, which often left Karz emotionally and physically drained.

However, the artist was careful not to let health problems stand in the way of pursuing her dreams.
"I almost quit many, many times; it was a very difficult thing for me," Karz told the newsletter published on the website of the American Diabetes Associations, which accepts donations for research.

"But I stayed and didn't use diabetes as an excuse, and really gave my insulin regimen a chance," she added.

Six years after being diagnosed, Karz was promoted to be a soloist ballerina in the company. Today, the retired dancer teaches, works as a repetiteur for the George Balanchine Trust and travels the world to stage his famous works.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 23.6 million Americans have diabetes.

Experts say that type 1 diabetes has a strong genetic component and cannot be prevented. However, lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise or smoking may lead to complications that may include eye, kidney, heart, blood vessel and nerve diseases, and should therefore be avoided.

Survivors and their families may turn to the American Diabetes Association for resources that may help them manage their condition and thrive.