There’s no trick — kids with diabetes are in for a treat Friday as the Jacksonville campus of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy teams up with the American Diabetes Association to host the eighth annual October Bash.

UF members of the American Pharmacy Association’s Academy of Student Pharmacists are volunteering to help kids with diabetes enjoy the holiday fun. Each year, more than 15,000 American children are affected with type 1 diabetes, while the incidence of type 2 diabetes continues to rise with the incidence of childhood obesity.

"Halloween is a difficult time for parents of children with diabetes. Our hope is to try to take the focus away from candy while making the holiday still enjoyable for the children," said Carol Motycka, Pharm.D., assistant dean and Jacksonville campus director with the UF College of Pharmacy.

The free event helps ensure a happy and safe Halloween celebration for children and teens with diabetes and their families. Activities include a Halloween costume contest, roller skating, carnival games and playing arcade games with the UF College of Pharmacy students.

The event, sponsored by the Animas Corp. in partnership with the American Diabetes Association, will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, at Skate Station Funworks, 3461 Kori Road, Jacksonville.

Families who wish to attend should call the American Diabetes Association at (904) 730-7200 or e-mail pstewart@diabetes.org.