Trish Garland (Photo courtesy of American Diabetes Association)
November is American Diabetes Month and the American Diabetes Association hopes to bring awareness to the seriousness of the disease. According to the association, 1.2 million people in America are diagnosed with diabetes each year and 11.6 percent of Americans dealt with the illness in 2023.
“Diabetes can impact your body in many negative ways,” Diane McArtor, Bayhealth Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, said. “High blood sugar levels can damage your blood vessels and affect your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Diabetes can also damage blood vessels in the eyes, nerves in the hands and feet and put significant stress on kidneys.”
In recognition of American Diabetes Month, the ADA is not only focused on increasing awareness about the disease, offering essential education and resources to improve the lives of those affected, but also launching a fund raising campaign to help them promote the message. Donations of up to $100,000 will be matched by the Garland family, owners of Estes Express Lines.
“Diabetes hits close to home for me,” Trish Garland said. “I’ve had Type 2 diabetes for 18 years and my brother has lived with diabetes for over 50 years. My grandfather, W.W. Estes, also passed away from its complications. I’m very grateful to the American Diabetes Association for the many ways they’re working to improve the lives of people with this disease.”
The organization is seeking cash donations as well as volunteers to help them promote their mission. They also recommend that everyone take the Type 2 Risk test which can help identify warning signs of diabetes.
“Adults 45 and older should be screened regularly for diabetes, although anyone between the ages of 35 and 70 who are overweight should be checked,” Dr. Robert Gabbay, former Chief Scientific and Medical Officer of ADA, said. “If you have a family history of diabetes, are physically inactive and overweight or have a BMI of 25kg/m2 or more, it is critical that your doctor test your A1C and blood glucose levels. A1C is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar level over the past three months while glucose measures the sugar in your bloodstream at a given time.”
A healthy blood glucose for a fasting person is below 99 milligrams per deciliter while a healthy A1C is below 5.7 percent. An A1C of 5.7 to 6.4 percent is considered pre-diabetes whole an A1C of 6.5 or higher is considered diabetic.
For more information in recognizing and controlling diabetes or to make a donation, visit the American Diabetes Association online.
