Healthy Magazine Holidays Issue 2018

Advisor . Diabetes
Diabetes, The
Sneaky Disease
THAT MUST BE
STOPPED
QUESTION: What do you get when you
combine pre-diabetes, type 1, and type 2
diabetes?
ANSWER: Three powerhouse organizations
(and three fantastically passionate women)
dedicated to raising diabetes awareness,
helping those in the community impacted
by this disease, and finding a cure for an
illness that affects approximately 235,000
people in the great Beehive State.
Laura Western, executive director, JDRF;
Beverly Bartel, manager of mission
delivery, American Diabetes Association
(ADA); and Brenda Ralls, epidemiologist,
Healthy Living through Environment,
Policy and Improved Clinical Care
Program (EPICC), The Department of
Health, are collaborating for November
National Diabetes Month and holding a
press conference on World Diabetes Day,
November 14, to address the public on this
pandemic.
“Many of our young people struggle with
obesity and sedentary lifestyles, putting
them at risk for developing pre-diabetes,”
said Brenda Ralls. “With pre-diabetes,
blood sugars are elevated but not high
enough to meet the threshold for a
diabetes diagnosis. Pre-diabetes usually
precedes type 2 but can be prevented
or delayed through simple lifestyle
changes.”
While type 2 individuals make insulin,
their body cannot use it properly. But
by eating healthier, increasing physical
activity, and losing weight, people can
achieve normal body function again. With
type 1 (T1D), individuals do not make
any insulin – their pancreas has stopped
working and they must manually give
themselves insulin to live.
“I see firsthand the challenges of T1D
for local families who live every day
with this difficult disease,” said Laura
Western. “With November being Diabetes
Awareness Month, we are partnering
with two powerful organizations to bring
awareness and attention to this disease.
It’s important for the community to know
its propensity so we may rally to find a
cure.”
Beverly Bartel wants you to know that
“Diabetes doesn’t stop… ever! It’s a
24/7, 365- days-a-year disease. It takes
extraordinary effort to live with this, day
after day, week after week, month after
month, year after year.”
WHAT THEY ALL WANT YOU TO KNOW:
Diabetes is a sneaky disease that claims
lives and robs health. Don't wait. Ask
your doctor for a diabetes screening
today!
• More than 135,000 local adults (about
6.9%) have been diagnosed with
diabetes, and approximately 100,000
with pre-diabetes.
• If not well controlled, diabetes
can lead to serious complications,
including blindness, amputation,
cardiovascular disease and kidney
failure.
• In many cases, progression from prediabetes
to type 2 can be prevented
or delayed through simple lifestyle
changes.
• If you are a Pacific Islander, Hispanic,
Native American, Asian or African
American, you are at a much higher
risk.
Laura concludes “I dedicate this month
to every Mom and Dad with a T1D child,
to every doctor who holds the hand of a
newly diagnosed, to every person affected
by diabetes, and to every researcher with
a laser focus on solving this problem. We
are forever grateful for your dedication,
passion, and commitment to find a cure.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aimee Greenholtz
JDRF - Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation
jdrf.org
Aimee is a content editor for healthfuldiabetes.com,
affordablediabetes.com and dollardiabetesclub.com.
Having this disease for more than 20 years and being
a pastry chef, Ms. Greenholtz knows the importance
of living healthfully and enjoying life. She can be
reached at agreenholtz@keyvive.com.
(from left to right) Beverly Bartel, ADA, Brenda Ralls, UDOH, and
Laura Western, JDRF join forces to bring diabetes awareness
during National Diabetes Month in November.
48 HEALTHY MAGAZINE 2018 Healthy-Magazines.com