Not Just 'A Little Sugar' - American Diabetes Association's Diabetes Forecast Highlights Mother Love's Fight Against Diabetes

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 02 Apr 2007 - 14:00 PDT

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Mother Love, talk show host, advice guru, and humorist, has declared war against a disease that has taken the lives of both her parents and her sister - and now affects her health. In the April issue of the American Diabetes Association's Diabetes Forecast magazine, Mother Love speaks about her personal fight against diabetes and her crusade to help others do the same.

Witnessing the devastating effects of diabetes, Mother Love made it her mission to squash the myth that diabetes is "just a little sugar." With many years as an ADA volunteer and Co-Chair of the African American Task Force in Los Angeles, she recently became a volunteer spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association's new campaign, I Decide to Fight Diabetes.

"Diabetes is an equal opportunity destroyer among Americans, with 21 million adults and children suffering from either type 1 or type 2," said Mother Love. "Good people are suffering from heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, lower limb amputations, strokes and premature death because of diabetes. I cannot sit by and let that go on. I know the pain of the disease and what it takes to fight it. I joined the I Decide to Fight Diabetes campaign so I can share my experiences with others and motivate everyone to do what it takes to put a stop to the misery."

People can visibly show their commitment to support the cause by wearing the signature item of the I Decide to Fight Diabetes campaign: an "I Decide" charm. Proceeds from the purchase of the "I Decide" charm will support research for a cure, advocacy activities, and education programs to help people with diabetes and those at risk. To purchase a charm or more information, visit diabetes.org/IDecide or contact 1-877-ADA-ID26. In addition to the cover story on Mother Love, the April issue of Diabetes Forecast also features:

-- Getting off a weight loss plateau

-- Encouraging teens to discuss diabetes

-- Handling high blood glucose after meals

Diabetes Forecast has been America's leading diabetes magazine for over 55 years. Each full-color issue provides the latest information on diabetes research and treatment, as well as practical tips on day-to-day coping with diabetes. The magazine is published monthly by the American Diabetes Association.

The American Diabetes Association is the nation's premier voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. The Association's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Founded in 1940, the Association provides services to hundreds of communities across the country. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.