“World Diabetes Day was introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to the alarming rise in diabetes around the world. In 2007, the United Nations marked the Day for the first time with the passage of the United Nations World Diabetes Day Resolution in December 2006, which made the existing World Diabetes Day an official United Nations World Health Day.” World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day is an annual day of awareness every November 14th.

This year’s focus is Diabetes in children and adolescents. Various cities across the country and throughout the world will be once again holding events to educate and raise awareness about Diabetes.

In Manhattan, NY, major players in the diabetic community such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Diabetes Association as well as newly developed charities like Diabetic Rockstar/Fight-It.org will be present at the United Nations to observe and voice their concerns about various pressing issues.

Some organizations like JDRF and ADA are well seasoned veterans of World Diabetes Day events. However this will be a first for Diabetic Rockstar, or DR as its loyal and passionate members affectionately refer to it. DR is a unique charity that accrued over one thousand members in less than a year, and continues to grow, gaining new members everyday.

In short, the Diabetic Rockstar mission statement is as follows:

“While research into the cause and cure of diabetes is very important, we at DR believe that there is a more pressing concern. That concern is to help diabetics now, while we’re waiting for that cure. In today’s economic crisis, many people are uninsured and must decide between buying food and paying for their insulin and supplies. DR believes that people shouldn’t be forced to make that decision, by giving free supplies to those who need them.”

When I say Diabetic Rockstar is unique, it proves so in not only its’ mission, but in its’ “get busy living or get busy dying” attitude. Many longstanding charities show diabetes as a terminal illness, a drawn out death sentence. They hand out pamphlets and organize walks. Diabetic Rockstar treats diabetes as a new beginning to live your life and encourages diabetics to own their condition, not let diabetes own them. Instead of pamphlets, DR posts 3 foot posters with giant fists. Instead of walks that resemble a slightly more energetic funeral procession, they hold high energy rock concerts, and while they may not be able to promise you a cure, they DO promise supplies and aid to any diabetic who asks for it.

That energy is not only needed in this time of global financial crisis, but always, and will be portrayed at World Diabetes Day in NYC this November 14th, 2008. Its passionate members will reach out and show the world that more needs to be done in the diabetic community than fundraising for a cure. More needs to be done for the working class that is being hit the hardest by our failing economy and cannot afford their insulin, blood glucose meters, doctor’s appointments and ability to eat properly. They will be there to explain that if we continue on this path, there will be no future for broke diabetics, that the focus on the cure is no more important than sustaining diabetics’ lives now!

Did you know?

The average uninsured diabetic will spend more than $8,000 per year on medical expenses. Even those insured will pay close to $3,000 per year. Nationwide 25 million people, and 240 million people worldwide, are fighting to properly take care of themselves daily.

So please, use this time to learn about diabetes and help where you can!

For more information about World Diabetes Day, Click Here.

For more information about Diabetic Rockstar, please visit www.diabeticrockstar.com or www.fight-it.org

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