Here’s just one. This one happened on November 1, 2008, with over 7,000 walkers. This group raised $1.2 million dollars!

Amazing.

For more information visit on this group www.jdrf.org/triangle.

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Video: JDRF Triangle Walk for Diabetes

Every year American Diabetes Wholesale (ADW) sponsors a contest to find the Diabetes Educator of the Year. I love this contest, because education is SUCH an important part of the disease. It isn’t just diabetics themselves that need education on how to combat diabetes, it’s the people around us.

You can vote for the Diabetic Educator of the Year. Head on over to the ADW website before March 20th, 2009 and register your choice. There is information on each one of the contestants. Winners will be announced on May 1st.

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Vote for the Diabetic Educator of the Year

Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler has been vocal about getting diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last year, and he’s helping to bring awareness to the cause. He’s teamed up with Eli Lilly & Co. and their “Inspired by Diabetes” campaign to help send Type 1 diabetic children to summer camps.

“Inspired by Diabetes” is a campaign to help bring families together to help raise awareness to the “global burden” of the disease.

Cutler has said, “Diabetes is the toughest opponent I’ve ever faced, but I wasn’t going to let it slow down my career. And kids don’t have to let it stop them from reaching for the dreams.”

Cutler (whose team is not in the Superbowl this year) will instead spend that week visiting “All Children’s Hospital to meet with families of children with type-1 diabetes.” The children are encouraged to “share their stories through art, essays, poems or photography.”

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Jay Cutler Helps in the Inspired by Diabetes Campaign

Remember Brenda Novak? She’s the writer who has managed to raise over a half million dollars for diabetes research in just a couple of years.

She’s also having a giveaway to win a tote with signed copies of her books, among other treats! Enter to win and if you do, by all means come back here and tell us!

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Enter to Win Brenda Novak’s Books

Mr. Mandell has an inspiring story but more than that, his story will motivate YOU to take action in your own life! I especially like his final word to us. Read on.

Image from Mr. Diabetes.

What type of diabetes do you have?

Type 2 – insulin-dependent. Self management, along with proper medical oversight, is key to ensure effective diabetes control.

When was it diagnosed, and how?

1985 at 40 years old. Long overdue medical checkup. My lifestyle was active and I felt no symptoms.

What’s the biggest challenge in managing your blood sugars?

Initially, the challenge was learning the new rules-of-adjustment. The first couple of years was diet control. But, unfortunately, I wasn’t under the guidance of an endocrinologist. I had the wrong doctor and never got proper advice. When I did get to an endocrinologist, about 2 years later, I quickly learned the difference between what I had been advised to do and what I should be doing. At that point I had to learn about glucose testing, nutritional guidelines, oral medications and more………… In short, the biggest challenge was realizing that life had permanently changed and adjusting to those changes.

It is 24 years later and I am still learning and adjusting to life as a diabetic. It is a balancing act between the medical, nutritional and physical fitness that I am always struggling with – I am a rookie every time I test (6-10 times p/day) and, as a result of that test, what I do (or DON’T do) next.

Tell me about how you became “Mr. Diabetes” and about your Defeat Diabetes foundation.

Defeat Diabetes Foundation (DDF) was established in 1990. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity. The Mission: the prevention, early identification and effective self management of diabetes.

DDF is registered nationally, in all 50 states, and enjoys a presence in over 30 countries around the world. We provide a number of information and education programs with a heavy emphasis on Type 2 diabetes, nutrition and physical fitness. DDF, further, believes the most effective impact on this insidious disease can best be accomplished by working closely with children – by encouraging them to build positive and healthy life habits. To this end we have developed a number of innovative and effective programs, including our KIDD program and MADDCAP(tm) program (Martial Arts Defeat Diabetes(r) Community Action Project). These are both national programs which are well received by parents, teachers, elected officials, civic organizations and, of course, the children, themselves. Other exciting programs are developed and await funding to be implemented.

We urge everyone interested in diabetes and related health issues to visit our VERY extensive website, where we offer over 3500 pages of accurate and up-to-date information: www.DefeatDiabetes.org Also, visitors should sign up for our E-Lerts(tm) newsletter; it is monthly, informative, fun and it’s FREE!!!!

DDF also emphasizes awareness programs of nutrition and fitness in the self management of diabetes. It is clear that diabetics who do best are those who are actively involved with their own treatment and share this involvement with their families and friends. In this regard, and because we can profile who will develop diabetes, this approach is significant in the prevention of diabetes in those close to them and at risk for developing diabetes. We have the knowledge to prevent Type 2 diabetes 95% of the time.

Tell me more about yourself – Hobbies? Favorite way to spend time? Family life? Etc.

I am eclectic in my interests, many of which have been on hold during the past eight years. Because of limited space available in the RV, which has been home for me, I had to leave them in storage bins. For example, I have a wonderful collection of ‘78′ records and ‘33′ records. They require a lot of space to store, play and enjoy them. I am also a comic book collector. which also takes up more than a bit of space. Additionally, I have a modest collection of musical instruments. Plus, I have a library of books, of which I have carried with me a couple of hundred, but not all. I am very much involved in the martial arts, but haven’t had the bags and other equipment with me to enjoy the full martial arts experience. That said, the beauty of the martial arts is that you can take it with you everywhere. And I also enjoy writing. Now that THE WALK(tm) is over I will gradually get reacquainted with all these activities and interests.

But, most importantly, I am back with family and our Defeat Diabetes Foundation headquarters in Madeira Beach, FL. Here, I will spend whatever time is necessary to finalize the organizing, classifying and categorizing the events of the past eight years. In this regard, I have an estimated 200,000-300,000 still pictures and approximately 1000 DVD’s of camcorder film. My hope here is to get some volunteer(s) who can help me to prepare various presentations and books that will result from it all.

Clearly, I have gained a unique perspective on the health, wants and needs of our American population, especially, diabetes and diabetics. It is all well documented and needs to be shared with the rest of America. So, I am actively engaging speaking opportunities and appearances to best accomplish this.

How has your life changed (if it indeed has) since you got diabetes?

I have become much more aware of the deeper meaning of Health & Fitness. There is a balance of living and life which can best be enjoyed by learning about and, then, practicing a healthy lifestyle. This includes reducing stress from life whenever and wherever possible. That’s not always easy to do, but it definitely can be done. Exercise is certainly one proven way of accomplishing stress reduction. And, it’s good for diabetics, too. So, everyone should add this to the 3 rules of behavior (above). WIN-WIN!!

What keeps you motivated to stay positive?

I absolutely love my life. I wake up every single day knowing that I have a contribution to make in this world. That by doing what I do, diabetes awareness, I am saving lives every day.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I am working with a staff as equally committed to impacting diabetes as I am. Our programs are innovative, positive and effective. Defeat Diabetes Foundation is a public charity and depends on the support of individuals. We are diligent about how we prepare our outreach efforts and urge those who seek to give their support to consider Defeat Diabetes Foundation.

In this regard, please know that DDF encourages donors to select the
program(s) they wish to support. Also, we offer a unique program for donors to work with our DDF Team to develop a new Defeat Diabetes(r) Program designed specifically for your own community.

VISIT: www.DefeatDiabetes.org

AND REMEMBER:
“What’s worse than finding out you are diabetic?…….NOT finding out!!!”
Andrew P. Mandell – MR.

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Interview with Mr. Diabetes: Andrew Mandell

I’ve often said that getting diabetes as a young child has to be the most difficult thing. I got diabetes when I was in my early 20s, and it’s been a challenge enough!

So I have a soft spot for all those children that deal with diabetes. How can you not?

That’s why I like the fact that the American Diabetes Association (ADA) always chooses a child each year to be the “national youth advocate.” It’s one thing to hear people talk about the challenges of diabetes, it’s only to see a young child talk about all they go through.

This year the ADA has chosen “Chris Stokes, 17, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, to be the Association’s 2009 National Youth Advocate.”

Chris got diabetes when he was just a baby. A baby!

The youth advocate position is not just for show. As part of his duties as national youth advocate, Chris will:

“spend a year meeting with policy makers, promoting the Association’s advocacy agenda, and reaching out to young people and adults to encourage them to become involved in the fight against diabetes.”

Can you imagine how awesome it would be to have Chris live without diabetes? After all this time having it? His whole life? I think that would be very “sweet” indeed!

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American Diabetes Association Chooses New Youth Advocate

Congratulations to Yvette Roubideaux, MD, MPH, from Tucson, Arizona. She has been honored by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) with the Addison B. Scoville Award, which is given away for outstanding volunteer service.

R. Stewart Perry, ADA Chair said, “Her contributions to the diabetes community stretches over many years and her continued dedication to diabetes awareness directly support the American Diabetes Association’s mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people living with diabetes.” ~source

I love that the ADA recognizes volunteers, because they really help highlight diabetes. The more people that know and understand the disease, the better able we are to find a cure.

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Yvette Roubideaux Honored by American Diabetes Association

He was diagnosed in 1985 with Type 1 diabetes, and has started the Defeat Diabetes Foundation to help bring awareness to the disease.

His mission was a large one, but you know what? We can all help the cause in little ways. It doesn’t always have to be so big. For example, just donating $20 can help. Just telling someone with diabetes you care about them can help. It all adds up.

Still, we congratulate Mr. Diabetes on his awesome trek!

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Meet Mr. Diabetes!

If you or a friend has diabetes, one of the best ways you can help in the cause for a cure is to become an advocate. There are numerous ways to get involved, whether it be with informing others about the disease, contacting lawmakers, or just spreading the word about the realities of living with this chronic illness. Here are some ways to get started as a diabetes activist. ~more

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How to Be a Diabetes Advocate

Here’s a another creative way to raise funds for diabetes. A painting exhibition in Qatar will open at the Qatar National Theatre tomorrow night. The painter is Sheikha Mozah bint Jassim, a noted Qatari painter, who said it was her “long-cherished desire to do something for children living with diabetes in Qatar. She called on all kind-hearted people in the country to visit the exhibition and support this cause.” ~source

About 25 paintings will be on display.

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Painting Exhibition in Qatar to Benefit Diabetic Children