ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to bring heightened awareness to the growing diabetes epidemic -- including the significance of diabetes in youth -- the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Children with Diabetes (CWD) -- two of the nation's leading diabetes advocacy groups -- will hold a rally in front of the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, June 8 at 10 a.m. Speakers will include representatives from both organizations, including volunteers traveling to Washington, D.C.
The Rally Against Diabetes kicks off a full day of grassroots activity on Capitol Hill. Throughout the day, over 500 red-shirted ADA advocates -- individuals with diabetes, parents of children with diabetes, and diabetes health professionals -- will meet with Members of Congress as part of the Association's "Call to Congress." Diabetes advocates, who are coming out to Washington on their own expense, will urge their Senators and Representatives to increase federal funding for diabetes research and prevention, expand stem cell research and protect diabetes health coverage. Also on Thursday, Children with Diabetes will display the Quilt for Life, consisting of over 500 individual quilt squares representing children and adults with diabetes. The quilt will be on the Mall throughout the day, just west of the Capitol Reflecting Pool.
Diabetes is one of the nation's most prevalent, debilitating and costly diseases. Nearly 21 million American children and adults have diabetes, up from 18.2 million when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last measured diabetes incidence in 2003. If present trends continue, one in three Americans, and one in two minorities, born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime. The cost of diabetes in the U.S. in 2002 was at least $132 billion; one in ten healthcare dollars is spent on diabetes and its complications.
What: The American Diabetes Association and Children with Diabetes will hold a joint Rally Against Diabetes in front of the U.S. Capitol, raising awareness of the 20.8 million American children and adults with diabetes. When: Thursday, June 8 at 10 a.m., Eastern Time Where: National Mall, 3rd St. and Jefferson Ave., Washington D.C.
American Diabetes Association; Children with DiabetesCONTACT: Zach Goldberg of ADA, +1-703-549-1500, ex2622; or Jeff Hitchcockof CWD, +1-513-755-0186
Web site: http://www.diabetes.org/
