community, while at the same time help raise money
for the ADA. The state chapters assist in organizing
the ADA signature fund raising events. The signature
events that occur annually are;
America’s Walk for Diabetes(r),
Tour De Cure(r) a cycling event that takes place in
over 70 cities nationwide,
and School Walk for Diabetes(r) that is an educa-
tional, school based program that promotes com-
munity service, school spirit and healthy living to
students.
Another unique fund-raising campaign, Kiss-A-
Pig(r), is a tribute to the pig for aiding in discovering
the role of insulin for people with diabetes. It ends
with the participant who raises the most money kiss-
ing the Kiss-A-Pig pig.Public Awareness
One of the goals of the ADA is to make the public
aware of diabetes and the serious health effects it may
have on a person. Throughout the year the ADA
sponsors events to educate the public about diabetes
and diabetes prevention. The National public aware-
ness campaigns are:
American Diabetes Month is the Association’s
annual, month-long public awareness activity held
each November. The goal is to raise awareness about
serious and often preventable diabetes complications.
A variety of events and educational activities are
included in this awareness effort.
The American Diabetes Alert is conducted annu-
ally on the fourth Tuesday in March to raise awareness
about the seriousness of pre-diabetes and diabetes and
its risk factors. The centerpiece of the Alert is the
diabetes risk test, which is widely distributed and pro-
moted through community activities and national and
local media.Program Services
The ethnic groups in the United States with the
highest risk of developing type 2 diabetes are African
Americans, Mexican Americans, and Pima Indians as
well as Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The
ADA reaches out to these communities through com-
munity campaigns.The Diabetes Assistance and Resources
Program (DAR)
DAR, which means, ‘‘to give’’ in Spanish, provides
valuable information in English and Spanish to the
Latino/Hispanic community. The goal of the DAR pro-gram is to increase awareness about the seriousness of
diabetes and the importance of prevention and control.Diabetes Sunday and Get Up and Move.
The African American Program’s goal is to
increase awareness about the seriousness of diabetes
in the community and importance of early diagnosis
and treatment. The program includes fun and infor-
mative church and community-based activities.Awakening the Spirit: Pathways to Diabetes
Prevention and Control
Aimed at the Native American community, includ-
ing American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native
Hawaiians. The program stresses the importance of
choosing a healthy lifestyle for oneself and the gener-
ations that will follow.Youth Programs
The ADA is the largest provider of camps for
children with diabetes in the world. Each year, more
than 10,000 children benefit from camping programs
provided through ADA funding.
They have developed a youth zone program that
provides a web site especially for kids. It offers games,
tips, links, and information to help kids manage their
diabetes.
For the teen, the ADA provides information and
resources directed to teens. It gives information on how
diabetes may impact their lifestyle. It gives resources
and tools to help the teen understand diabetes and how
it impacts the choices they make and their health.AdvocacyRealizing a need for equality for those with dia-
betes, the ?ADA formed the Government Affairs &
Advocacy program to help fulfill their mission of
improving the lives of all those affected with diabetes.
The main goals of this program are to:
Improve access to quality medical care for people
with diabetes
Eliminate discrimination against people because of
their diabetes
Ensure the federal government is adequately funding
diabetes research and programs.Megan C.M. Porter, RD, LDAmerican Diabetes Association