American Diabetes Association Announces Kansas City, Missouri Native Amy Johnson As 2010 National Youth Advocate

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 05 Feb 2010 - 19:00 PDT

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The American Diabetes Association announced that Amy Johnson, 17, of Kansas City, Missouri, will be the Association's 2010 National Youth Advocate. Johnson was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 12 years old.

As the Association's National Youth Advocate, Johnson will spend 2010 meeting with policy makers, promoting the Association's advocacy agenda and reaching out to young people and adults encouraging them to become involved in the fight against diabetes.

"Amy's advocacy work on the local, state and federal levels exemplifies a true commitment to the fight to stop diabetes," said Nash M. Childs, PE, Chair of the Board of the Association. "She has been an outspoken advocate for the rights of all people affected by the disease. We're excited to have her passion and her energy on board for the coming year."

Prior to being named National Youth Advocate, Johnson served as the Association's Youth Advocate in Kansas City where she spoke to schools and civic groups about diabetes and its impact in the community. She participated in the Association's Call to Congress event in Washington, DC and has worked on several local advocacy efforts on behalf of people affected by diabetes.

"Because of my diabetes, I am much more aware of the importance of taking an active role in my health care as well as educating others about this disease," said Johnson. "Youth need to understand how the American Diabetes Association helps them, why the Association does these things and the importance of getting involved."

Johnson is a senior at Park Hill high school in Kansas City. She serves as President of the Teen Advisory Board at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO and she is a Master Fourth Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.

To learn more about Amy and the Association's advocacy efforts, please visit http://www.diabetes.org/nya.

Source
The American Diabetes Association

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