An Olympian with Diabetes

At the age of 29, Cross-country skier Kris Freeman will be heading to his third consecutive Winter Olympics. Kris is believed to be the first athlete with Type 1 diabetes to compete at a world-class level, as well as in an endurance sport. Diabetes Forecast Magazine caught up with Kris before the games to talk about everything from: his race for the gold medal, living with diabetes and how he manages diabetes while competing in an endurance sport.

Check out the inspirational article about Kris Freeman by clicking on his picture.

Eye Exams Can Give Early Diabetes Warnings

Eye exams can give an early warning of undiagnosed diabetes and warn doctors of the presence of diabetic retinopathy. Ophthalmologists can examine the retina and detect areas of bleeding outside of the eye’s blood vessels, which may eventually cause blindness.

Lasers can be used early on to decrease leakage by cauterizing the retina, but this cannot cure the condition. Because diabetes can lead to vision loss, early detection is essential. “With the increased diagnosis of diabetes in our population, it’s critically important that everyone have a complete eye exam once they’re past 45 years of age every year,” said Dr. Alan Lacoste, an ophthalmologist.

(c) Copyright 2010 Information, Inc. WCBD.com (SC) (02/03/10)

Oprah Winfrey Dedicates Today’s Show to Diabetes

Host Oprah Winfrey — together with celebrity physician Dr. Mehmet Oz, and exercise physiologist Bob Greene — will emphasize that diabetes is a ticking time bomb and a silent killer, urging viewers to find out if they are at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Covering a wide spectrum of diabetes-related topics, from making healthy lifestyle choices to avoiding diabetes-related complications, Oprah and her health team will talk about diabetes testing and healthy foods, while also introducing viewers to a woman with diabetes on dialysis, who is a double amputee.

As stated by Richard M. Bergenstal, MD, President, Medicine & Science, “We hope that the show will convey the seriousness of diabetes. We also hope the show will empower people and provide hope. Many of the devastating complications of diabetes can be prevented or lessened.”

For details regarding where and when to see today’s The Oprah Winfrey Show in your area, please check your local listings.

Tour de Cure 2010 Kickoff

Start a chain reaction at the Tour de Cure^® Kickoff, on February 4, 2010 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00p.m at Architecture Works Community Room. (130 19^th St. S, Birmingham, Ala.) as they strive to change the future of diabetes and help stop this devastating disease.

Recreational and Avid Cyclists from around the region are invited to the kickoff to meet new and previous Tour de Cure participants. While enjoying food, music and door prizes, a short program will take place at 6 p.m. informing those present about The ADA’s Mission, 2010 fundraising goals, success stories and more. Individuals and teams who bring a guest that is a New Tour de Cure participant that registers at the kickoff will receive this year’s commemorative Tour de Cure In Training Long Sleeve t-shirts.

 The Tour de Cure Kickoff is an opportunity for new and previous participants to interact and share their stories of why they have or will participate in Tour de Cure 2010. Join others on February 4^th, as The ADA kicks off the start to Tour de Cure 2010 Campaign.

The Tour de Cure is a cycling event to raises funds for diabetes research, education and advocacy. The Tour is designed for everyone from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist. Whether participants ride 10, 50 or 100 miles, they will travel a route supported from start to finish with rest stops, food to fuel the journey and fans to cheer them on. The 2010 Tour de Cure will be held May 22, 2010 at the Birmingham Race Course with marked routes that will guide cyclist through city streets as well as low traffic country roads. Start a Chain Reaction and take the ride of your life in the Birmingham 2010 Tour de Cure. 

Please RSVP online for the kickoff at: http//2010tourkickoff.eventbrite.com

We hope to see you there!!!

Highlights of 2009 Achievements

Your help made these and many more successes possible!

• Funding Diabetes Research to save lives. Your support helped the Association provide more than $33,500,000 to support vital research to discover better treatment and- one day soon– a cure for this deadly disease!
• Walking and Riding to Stop Diabetes — together. More than 163,000 people took part in our Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes and Tour de Cure bicycling events combined, helping us raise awareness and supporting our research, education and advocacy efforts.
• Launching a Movement to STOP DIABETES and inspire millions of Americans. With your help, we undertook our most ambitious public outreach and awareness effort ever — encouraging millions of people to take action to help stop the diabetes epidemic. Our new stopdiabetes.com web site and a more user-friendly diabetes.org deliver life-changing and life-saving information and share real life stories of inspiration and hope every day!
• Reaching Children and Families — to provide much-needed support. With your support, our family and youth outreach programs were enhanced and expanded through our new program called Family Link, which helps connect families, offers peer support and much more. Camperships (scholarships) helped kids attend our life-changing Diabetes Camps, and so much more.
• Advocating and Reforming Health Care — ensuring a brighter future. You helped us continue to be a strong voice for health care reform in 2009. We took a lead role in ensuring that pending legislation meets the needs of people with, and at risk for, diabetes, including wellness and prevention provisions.

Through your help and support all these achievements were made possible. Together we can STOP diabetes.

 

 

Mark Your Calendars– Step Out Season is upon us!

Join over 100,000 walkers in more than 180 cities around the country in a STEP OUT: WALK TO FIGHT DIABETES near you this fall. Together we can stop diabetes. One Step at a Time.

Click on the links below to visit the local websites for more information!  Take your first step by registering today!

Huntsville Step Out-

Saturday, September 26th at McMullen Cove

Birmingham Step Out- 

Saturday, October 3rd at the McWane Center

Montgomery Step Out-

Saturday, October 10th at the Shakespeare Festival

Tuscaloosa Step Out-

Saturday, October 31st at the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk