Message From Our Executive Director
By Andrew P. Mandell – MR.DIABETES®
December, 2009
2009 - What A Year!
2009 has been a rough year for America. We’ve watched our fellow citizens face enormous trials at all levels: the economy has hit lows not seen since the Great Depression of 1929; our military is stretched to its limits as we fight in multiple conflicts around the world; education has been shown to be greatly inadequate – especially, in the areas of math and science; and healthcare is facing challenges which could prove devastating – especially, for the uninsured, those with pre-existing conditions and those who have “chronic” conditions, like diabetes.
It seems that our elected officials are at odds with each other on how to resolve these issues, and when they do make decisions, the results are more suffering for the general population. It appears as if the sacred “middle class” of America, the wonderful distinction that has made us so great for the past 233 years of our existence, is being deliberately dismantled – to everyone’s shame.
But, life goes on and there is still lots to hope for; lots we can do, individually, to change this bleak picture. We are a diverse population of many cultures – that is our strength! Our proud history of sacrifice and accomplishments prove, unequivocally, if we band together we can effect change and bring back our national values which remain strong, just silent right now.
Fighting diabetes is one challenge which, when we fight it together, will affect many areas of our society’s concerns. By “defeating diabetes” we improve the health of all Americans, we reduce a healthcare cost of $225 billion per year (heading for $1 trillion per year by 2025), eliminate untold suffering, and more.
We know, absolutely, how to prevent the runaway epidemic of Type 2 diabetes – 90% of all diabetes cases. It’s too late to prevent it in the 24 million Americans who already have it, as there is no cure. But, it is NOT too late to prevent it in the 57 million Americans who are “pre-diabetic” – folks who will get it in the next 10-15 years unless they take steps to prevent it – IMMEDIATELY! We can prevent up to 95% of those 57 million Americans from getting diabetes! Eliminate untold suffering and financial costs which affect everyone, diabetic or not. This is doable. And that’s what Defeat Diabetes Foundation is all about – diabetes prevention.
Our programs are dedicated to prevention. But, when it’s too late for that, early identification is key to preventing the complications of this insidious disease: blindness, amputations, heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, life expectancy shortened by 10-15 years, 225,000 deaths each year, and more.
Some of our valuable programs, not offered anywhere else: KIDD™ (Kids Initiative to Defeat Diabetes®) which provides Defeat Diabetes® Screening Test brochures to schools, students and parents across America (many millions to date), MADDCAP™ (Martial Arts Defeat Diabetes® Community Action Project) – a comprehensive education program for youngsters teaching about diabetes, nutrition and fitness through martial arts schools internationally (over 10,000 students currently enrolled, and growing), The MR. DIABETES® WAKE UP AND WALK® TOUR – reached over 70 million Americans, and many more valuable programs.
Please visit our website to learn more about Defeat Diabetes Foundation and how you can help. www.DefeatDiabetes.org Your generosity is always needed and appreciated.
On behalf of our staff at Defeat Diabetes Foundation, I want to thank you all for your help and support during 2009 and wish to extend our best wishes for this Holiday Season and for the New Year – 2010.
Good Health.
Andrew P. Mandell – MR. DIABETES®
Executive Director
Awareness + Action = Prevention®
