Main Page Wake Up and Walk® Tour KIDD™ Project DAN Project MADDCAP™

 

 

 

     

The D.A.N. Project -- Diabetes Awareness Now

Dedicated to Daniel Kerner (1977 - 2003) 

Defeat Diabetes Foundation is dedicated to educating the public at large of the Warning Signs of diabetes.  It is our hope that, armed with this information, the number of people who are in danger of contracting the disease (pre-diabetics), and the number of people who have the disease but are not aware of it, can take the steps necessary to ward off the disease, or at the very least, begin a program designed around lifestyle changes which can help stop the spread of diabetes throughout their body. 

The earlier one knows he or she has diabetes, the sooner these programs can be put into action.  The alternative to having and using this knowledge is no better demonstrated than in the heartbreaking story of Dan Kerner.

Dan was a 26 year old, hard-working, fun-loving guy who lived in Stuart, Florida.  Dan enjoyed all types of sports, especially water sports.  Be it boating, skiing, surf-boarding - Dan loved being outdoors and having fun with his many friends.  He enjoyed helping people whenever he could, was good with his hands, and was very creative.  He had a special bond with his mother, and visited or talked to her almost every day.  He appeared to be in good health, but like millions of others, was unaware of the symptoms and Warning Signs of diabetes.  On August 15, 2003 Dan Kerner died from kidney/renal failure; a complication of his previously undiagnosed diabetes.

Determined not to let the tragedy of Dan's death be in vain, his mother, Shirley, along with other family members decided to take immediate action to try and avoid anyone else they knew from being subjected to the dangers of diabetes, forming what they call the D.A.N. Project.  D.A.N. stands for Diabetes Awareness Now. 

They organized a memorial barbeque for Dan, with the purpose of disseminating diabetes awareness information to all that attended.  They had a very large turnout, and everyone was given information on the symptoms and Warning Signs of diabetes.  The barbeque was also a fund raising event, with the proceeds going to the Defeat Diabetes Foundation, which Mrs. Kerner found during a search of diabetes websites which focused on awareness of the disease.  Her goals and the goals of the Defeat Diabetes Foundation are the same, and she wanted to help us with our programs of educating the public on early detection of diabetes.

Defeat Diabetes Foundation is very proud of the Kerner family and their commitment to the D.A.N. Project. Through their efforts and Defeat Diabetes Foundation, we were able to develop 2 Public Service Announcements for broadcast on radio and television markets nationwide emphasizing the importance of prevention and/or early detection of diabetes. These PSAs were produced for Defeat Diabetes Foundation by Robert M. Zakon of Newton, Massachusetts.

Our hope, in telling Dan's story is that you will realize this information is needed everywhere, and maybe you, or someone you know can fill the gap in your community, town, or city.  The more people that know about diabetes, the more likely that we can eliminate the misery and heartache associated with the disease. 

How Can I help?

If you can't help within your community with diabetes awareness, perhaps you could help with a financial gift to Defeat Diabetes Foundation to help us in our distribution of information on Warning Signs and Symptoms of diabetes as well as the continuing efforts of our distribution of our Defeat Diabetes® Screening Test brochures and our School Program.      

To make a Donation to Defeat Diabetes Foundation or the DAN Project

Update 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 Costa Rica Travel Corp. will donate a portion of the proceeds to and is a sponsor of Defeat Diabetes Foundation.