The economy has hit everyone hard, and the ADA is no exception. They’ve announced that they are cutting back, just like many companies in America. One source says that due to a “slowdown in fundraising and cuts in federal funding of diabetes research, the Alexandra, Virginia-based American Diabetes Association has eliminated 86 staff positions, about 10 percent of its workforce.”

They are getting rid of jobs that have not been filed and also laying off some folks. They have closed two offices in New England and Maine as well.

Post from: Blisstree

ADA Cuts Some Jobs

Just had a chance to go through the latest edition of Diabetes Forecast. I love this magazine, which comes with your membership to the American Diabetes Association. They also have great information that I quite frankly don’t seem to get from my doctor. Often I’ll read about something in the magazine and then go talk to him.

This issue of Diabetes Forecast had Randy Jackson on the cover. One thing I liked about his interview was that he talked about being over 350 pounds. He said when you get to that kind of weight, it isn’t about food anymore. It’s more than that.

That’s very true. People eat for a number of different reasons. They gain weight because of factors like not enough exercise, too many carbs, and stress. In order to truly change your life you have to take a look at these things to determine how to change them for the better.

If you don’t receiveDiabetes Forecast, I encourage you to visit the ADA website to see how you can get your copy.

Post from: Blisstree

Randy Jackson Talks to Diabetes Forecast

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

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

Wouldn’t we love to kiss diabetes goodbye?

Boy, I would. I could kiss the cost, the stress, the misunderstanding, the pain, the body changes, the isolation, and the restrictions goodbye in an instant! I wouldn’t hesitate.

The great thing about being alive today is that we don’t just have to sit around and wait for something to happen. We can make it happen.

For the last several years, we have rec’d nothing but lip service from the current administration in regards to diabetes care. Diabetes continues to grow. And isn’t it sad, since for the last several years people keep saying we are close to a cure. Quite simply, we need more than lip service.

If you want to “kiss diabetes goodbye,” log on to the American Diabetes Assocation’s petition page. The petition will be delivered along with the ADA’s health reform policy position to the next president in January 2009. The ADA states that “The new Administration needs to know that diabetes is serious and its complications are serious and deadly.”

I couldn’t agree more. How about you? Sign the petition, and then forward the link to your friends.

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Kiss Diabetes Goodbye

Need a few items for your holiday shopping list?

The American Diabetes Association is having a sale over at its site. If you purchase $75 worth of items before November 9th, you get a free serenity candle. Use the code FREEGIFT at checkout.

They’ve got quite a few really nice things. One is this happiness candle. I love words and candles and inspiration, and this one covers all three!

I may also purchase this digital photo ornament. What a cool thing! How neat to have photos of your loved ones displayed right on the tree. If you buy something, be sure to tell me about it or comment here.

Remember, your purchases help support the race for a cure.

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Get a Free Gift from the ADA

8 Weeks to Maximizing Diabetes Control helps people keep blood glucose in a healthy range while learning life-long behaviors that will help them manage diabetes. Prevention is the key to staying healthy with diabetes. This new book gives readers the optimal tool to keep diabetes on track and live life to its fullest. 

The book is designed in a step by step format and is designed to bring discussion as well as a plan of action to the table. It is available at Diabetes.org , at bookstores nationwide or by calling 1-800-ADA-ORDER. Let me know what you think.

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8 Weeks to Maximizing Diabetes Control is on the shelves

But what may be most important is what the study results have in common – patients with the lowest blood sugar levels had just as many heart problems as diabetics who did not keep as rigid a cap on their blood-sugar levels.

When results are confusing and contradictory like this- there is always backlash from patients. I think we need to remember what we have been taught and control our bloodsugars regardless of research like this.

if you would like to red more… 

Post from: Blisstree

Will lowering blood sugars protect against heart disease… or not?

Funny thing is that sexual dysfunction and sexual changes are very natural and common among many who suffer from diseases such as diabetes. And why be embarrassed? We all do it right (if not the human race would have come to a screeching halt)?

The book Sex and Diabetes For Him and For Her has answers to vacuum pumps, erectile dysfunction, orgasms, decreased vaginal sensitivity and every other worry or question you could possibly come up with. It is presented in a very real, nonthreatening tone and the writers hit the nail on the head in my opinion.

The book was written by Janis Rozsler, RD, CDE, LDN, and Donna Rice, MBA, BSN, RN, CDE, and all proceeds go to further the mission of the American Diabetes Association. It’s available from the ADA and on Amazon.

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Sex And Diabetes For Him And For Her… A+ In My Book