Diabetes Alert Day

Today is Diabetes Alert Day. What's that? Well, it's a day that is celebrated (??) once a year. The American Diabetes Association, and other around the world, encourage people to take the Diabetes Risk Test. This test takes several things into consideration (family history, weight, health, etc.) and determines if you are at high, moderate or low risk of developing diabetes (specifically, Type 2 diabetes).

If you had a chance to delay or prevent the diagnosis of diabetes, would you do it? I know I would have. With Type 1, I wasn't given a choice.

I encourage people to go take the Diabetes Risk Test and then discuss it with your doctor. A chance to live a healthier life is in front of you. Take the chance.

Along those same lines, oftentimes (actually MOST of the time), the media can completely misconstrue diabetes, it's types, causes, and other things. It's something that is a constant battle for ALL people living with diabetes.

The Diabetes Advocates is a group that I'm very proud to be a part of. A press release issued this morning is just a public way of reaching out to the media to help them "get it right" in regards to diabetes. Below is the press release and information on how to get in touch with knowledgeable people who can help be sure that any media reporting is done correctly.

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Diabetes Advocates Offer Assistance in Accurate Reporting in the Media

”We want to help get it right,” states diabetes advocacy group

Tuesday, March 27, 2012 (BERKELEY, CA) – Did you know there are more than five different types of diabetes? If your knowledge of diabetes is defined by what you hear and see on the news or in movies then you probably don't.  Diabetes Advocates, a nonprofit program made up of influential members of the diabetes community has launched a media outreach campaign, designed to assist the media on all things diabetes.    

Kelly Kunik, a member of Diabetes Advocates stated: “Today is Diabetes Alert Day in the US and we are trying to stress to all media sources that more due diligence is required on everyone’s part when reporting on diabetes. We want to help all sources ‘get it right’ but also stress the importance of explaining the differences among ‘all things’ diabetes.” 

Despite the fact that media outlets are reporting on diabetes more than ever, the condition is still widely misrepresented and portrayed as only one disease, when in actuality, diabetes is made up of several different diseases (type 1, type 1.5 LADA, and type 2 being the most predominantly confused). By emailing the organization at media@diabetesadvocates.org, reporters can quickly fact check, get suggestions and have a real-time conversation with the Diabetes Advocates to ensure the accuracy of their articles. The Diabetes Advocates can also serve as sources for reporters. 

With representation from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and Actor’s Equity (AEA) within the organization, the Diabetes Advocates can also serve as information sources to entertainment outlets. Entertainment outlets looking for information on diabetes can email the group as well.

“Our goal is to stop being reactive and start being proactive,” said Kunik. “When a story with incorrect information is published, the damage is done. By making ourselves available to media and entertainment outlets, we are seeking to be part of a solution.”

ABOUT DIABETES ADVOCATES

Diabetes Advocates is a not-for-profit program run by the Diabetes Hands Foundation. The program combines the resources of its members to do activities to better educate the public about all aspects concerning diabetes. For more details, visit: www.diabetesadvocates.org.