November is American Diabetes Month, a time to communicate the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of diabetes prevention and control.
Nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes, including 29,814 people in Southwest Washington.
An additional 79 million Americans– 84,204 in Southwest Washington — are at high risk for type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Diabetes is a growing epidemic that will leave a lasting and devastating physical, emotional and financial toll on our community if we don’t come together to stop diabetes.
The mission of the American Diabetes Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. We are the only organization committed to helping children and adults with all types of diabetes, as well as those at risk.
Our vision is a life free of diabetes and its burdens. Through education, research, advocacy and awareness, we dedicate ourselves to one day finding a cure.
This burgeoning health crisis costs our nation more than $200 billion each year and it is estimated that 1 in 3 children born today face a future with diabetes if current trends continue. That is not a future we are willing to accept.
To truly change the trajectory of this disease, it will take the bold commitment of a strong, passionate network of individuals, organizations and communities united behind the single goal: to stop diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association has launched a Stop Diabetes movement, to stop it from stealing moments, hours and days from millions of people affected by diabetes. To stop the anxiety, fear and heartache it causes every day. To stop the blindness and amputations. To stop discrimination against people with diabetes. To stop it from haunting our children’s future and from stealing our loved ones all too soon.
Take action. Join the Stop Diabetes movement today by visiting www.diabetes.org.
Andrea Bruno is Executive Director of the American Diabetes Association, Oregon/SW Washington/Southern Idaho. Her office is based in Portland.
