Join Bret Michaels and ADA in observing American Diabetes Month

November is American Diabetes Month. In connection with this health observance, the US is also observing Diabetic Eye Disease Month and Foot Health Issues Related to Diabetes Awareness Month. During this month, we will be bringing updates on diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is in the frontline of this observance. ADA launched the Stop Diabetes movement last year and is now asking this year: How will you Stop Diabetes®? The future is in your hands.

The musical artist Bret Michaels is the current “Face of Diabetes”  for ADA and for this month’s campaign. Why Bret? Because he personally is facing every day this monster disease, has had type 1 diabetes since age 6. No wonder that Bret is fully behind the STOP DIABETES campaign. He had chosen the ADA as his charity during the spring season of NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice.”  He raised more than $300,000 for ADA and “has helped put a face to diabetes by raising critical awareness about the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of diabetes prevention and management.”

Says the singer and songwriter:

“It is an honor to once again be working with the American Diabetes Association. As someone with type 1 diabetes, I know how difficult it can be to live with this disease and how important it is to raise awareness so that we can eventually put a stop to diabetes.  I hope everyone will join me in the movement to Stop Diabetes this November.”

Current statistics on diabetes from ADA:

• Almost 24 million American children and adults have diabetes. 
• An additional 57 million people in the US are at risk.
• Diabetes contributes to deaths more than 230,000 Americans each year.
• Health expenditure of diagnosed diabetes is more than $174 billion, but could exceed $218 billion when undiagnosed cases are included.

How will you Stop Diabetes®?

ADA gives us the following tips on stopping this disease in its track:

• Share* – “Share Your Vision to Stop Diabetes” by posting your video on stopdiabetes.com starting October 15, 2010.
• Act –Take action now by visiting stopdiabetes.com or calling 1-800-DIABETES or text JOIN to 69866.
• Learn – There’s a lot to learn and “Celebration Survival Guide” is just one of ADA’s important resource. Others include “Top Five Ways to Stop Diabetes and Get Healthy Right Now!” or “What Can I Eat?” which you can have for free by calling 1-800-DIABETES.
• Give – Donate your time, money and efforts to the cause.

ADA is also on social network. Check out and follow

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmericanDiabetesAssociation
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/AmDiabetesAssn

Photo credit: American Diabetes Association ad