For Some Being Diabetic Isn’t Enough – They Must be Anti Diabetes

06/08/06 Events, Prevention, Research, General

Alexandria, VA – More than 500 volunteer advocates from the American Diabetes Association will meet with their members of Congress this week, urging their support for increased federal funding for diabetes prevention and research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The advocates will also urge Congress to pass legislation to expand stem cell research (the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, H.R. 810) and to support efforts to protect diabetes health coverage. The advocates are in Washington for the ADA’s biennial Call to Congress, the Association’s premier advocacy effort. This year’s Call to Congress is being held June 7-9, and for the first time, it is taking place in concurrence with the ADA’s 66th annual Scientific Sessions, the largest gathering of diabetes researchers and health professionals in the world.

The more than 500 diabetes advocates represent all 50 states. Among the attendees are children and adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, family members of individuals with diabetes, diabetes researchers, and health care professionals.

“Our advocates come from different backgrounds and have unique stories to tell, but all of us are here because we are committed to preventing and curing diabetes and to improving the lives of all people affected by diabetes,” said Larry Smith, Chair of the Board of the American Diabetes Association. “Likewise, we share the belief that Congress and the Administration can do so much to help fight diabetes, starting by significantly increasing the budget for diabetes prevention at CDC and diabetes research at NIH.”

Specifically, ADA advocates are urging Congress to increase the budget at the CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation by $20.8 million (a 33 percent increase) or one dollar for every American with diabetes and increase the budget for diabetes research at NIH by $92 million (a 5 percent increase). Despite the growing diabetes epidemic, Congress last year passed a budget which, for the first time, cut federal funding for diabetes research and prevention. The Bush Administration’s proposed budget would further cut funding for diabetes research and prevention at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Along with meeting with their U.S. Senators and Representatives from the House, ADA advocates will join another diabetes organization, Children with Diabetes (CWD), for a rally Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Capitol Reflecting Pool. At the rally, CWD will present its Quilt for Life, consisting of more than 500 individual quilt squares representing children and adults with diabetes. ADA will also be featuring a collage on youth with diabetes. The ADA Youth Collage has been developed to provide a visual representation of all the American Diabetes Association does to help children with diabetes and their families.

Today, an estimated 20.8 million children and adults in the United States – or 7 percent of the population – have diabetes. Approximately one third of those are not aware that they have the disease. Since 1987, the death rate due to diabetes has increased by 45 percent, while the death rates due to heart disease, stroke, and cancer have declined.

These efforts are orchestrated by the American Diabetes Association’s advocacy arm. You do not have to go to Washington DC to participate in these efforts. As a matter of fact, a sincere email, letter or phone call to your Representative in the House and your Senators will strengthen the effort. You can access information on how to contact your political representatives by visiting the ADA’s Action Center. The navigation links on the left hand side will let you research federal issues. It will help you know how to communicate with your representatives and their staff. Under the State Legislation link, you can see how lawmakers in your state may be affecting the progress in the fight against diabetes in your state. Here at My Diabetes Information, we hope they are voting for your health.