American Diabetes Association: Over Six Million Diabetics Are Unaware

Diabetes, a disease that affects the body's ability to regulate sugar, affects more than twenty million Americans: men, women, and children. Since the 1940s, the American Diabetes Association, a not-for-profit organization, has been supporting the health of these people and their loved ones. Through donations to research, information, and support, this agency is dedicated to getting the word out about diabetes. In fact, they have a significant presence in every state in America.

The American Diabetes Association was founded on the principle that diabetes should be able to be cured and possibly prevented. To that end, their fund raising efforts have raised millions of dollars over the years to aid in the scientific research into possible advances in the prevention and cure of diabetes. For over sixty years, the ADA has never wavered in their dedication to diabetics.

In addition to the research funded, the American Diabetes Association has become an educational powerhouse in getting the word out about diabetes. From pamphlets to meetings to lobbying for more research funds from the government, the ADA has shown time and again that they are truly interested in educating Americans about risk factors, prevention, and maintenance of this sometimes debilitating disease. Diabetes, again, is the disease in which the pancreas simply does not produce, or possibly just does not use, the required insulin that is necessary to regulate blood sugar. Blood sugar must be maintained at certain levels for the body to work efficiently; when it doesn't the organs, tissues, and muscles can become severely compromised.

According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly six and a half million people in America are not aware that they are diabetic. This wreaks havoc on their health, because, untreated, diabetes has been known to cause poor circulation, resulting in gangrene and possible amputation of appendages. In addition, it can affect vision, leaving sufferers blinded. Unfortunately, some sufferers fall into diabetic comas and pass away as a result of not knowing or not treating their diabetes.

The good news is that the American Diabetes Association is determined not to let that happen to any more patients. Their thousands of volunteers ensure that not only are the educational materials distributed, the message delivered, and the funds collected, but also that those funds and those materials are put to proper use. To be certain, the ADA's volunteers are driven to get the word out about prevention and care, and to raise funds for research for a cure.

The American Diabetes Association has joined forces with other non-profits in America to collaborate in the need for more research funds and more educational opportunities. Targeting both patients and health care professionals, the American Diabetes Association is joined with the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the Diabetes Care Coalition, to name a few. Together, they hope to someday have pushed hard enough to eradicate this devastating disease. From the recently diagnosed to the person who is at risk, Americans can rest assured that the American Diabetes Association has their best interests in mind.