Diabetic Live

Diabetics In Profile – Female Performers: Some of the most talented women in music history live with diabetes. These women entertainers have not allowed Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes stop them from making memorable music for their fans. Let’s take a look at some of these standouts.

Ella Fitzgerald. Fourteen Grammy awards and 200 albums to her credit Fitzgerald is an icon in the realm of jazz music. It may seem she had everything going for her, but her parents split shortly after she was born, she was placed in an orphanage and her mother passed away when she was fifteen. Two years later at the age of seventeen Ella made her singing debut and she never seemed to stop. Her last original album was in 1989 and she lost both her sight and legs to diabetes, passing away in 1996. She is remembered more for who she was that the disease she lived with.

Mama Cass Elliot. A member of the folk group the Mamas and Papas, Elliot also had a very successful solo career, She died before reaching her 33rd birthday the result of an apparent heart attack. Elliot also lived with diabetes. She participated in eight albums over six years and had concluded two highly successful concerts in London just before she passed away.

Patti LaBelle. In 1995 Patti was diagnosed with diabetes. She has used her star status to bring hope to others with the disease. She is a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association and has also appeared in advertising for blood glucose meters. She continues an R&B singing career that started in 1962.

Peggy Lee. Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin and Ella Fitzgerald all said that Peggy Lee was one of their favorite vocalists. She was nominated or awarded for her work on the big screen as well as her music. She passed away in 2002 from diabetes complications. She was 81. Peggy Lee started singing in 1941 and continued into the early 1990’s

Pump Girls. This is a pop music group that formed based on the common thread of diabetes. Each member suffers from Type 1 diabetes and the pump in their name presumably refers to their insulin pumps. This group is very active in support of diabetes organizations like Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, American Association of Diabetes Educators, American Diabetes Association, and the PADRE Foundation.

Aretha Franklin. This artist has always encouraged others to give her some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. For the most part this hasn’t been a problem for a woman who has wowed audiences for several decades. Her passion for music has led to eighteen Grammy’s, her own record label and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2009 she is set to deliver a long awaited new CD.

Della Reese. This singer/actor was discovered by another diabetic by the name of Mahlia Jackson. She has recorded dozens of albums – the most recent in 2006. She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes after being rushed to the hospital from the set of her hit television show, “Touched by an Angel”. Reese received several Grammy nominations for her singing and continues to use her talents as a way to help spread information about diabetes.

All of these women worked through moments of despair in order to come to terms with the fact they had dreams they still believed in and work they had yet to accomplish. Diabetes isn’t a death sentence and the lives represented above demonstrate there’s still a lot of living yet to do.

Diabetic News Briefs: There have always been warnings against smoking when you are pregnant. A new study not only supports that notion, but also indicates that when you smoke while carrying a child you may be unintentionally increasing the likelihood that your child may develop diabetes later in life.

Research spearheaded by Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland show that studies on rats indicates an alteration in the genes of developing embryos.

1. The rat embryos whose mother was placed in an environment filled with nicotine gained weight faster than rat embryos in a non-nicotine environment. These rats were less effective at loosing that fat following birth.
2. The rat embryos in the nicotine group also had alterations to the way their pancreas cells were formed.

The end result seems to be that smoking can cause a two-fold scenario that may place children at risk for Type 2 diabetes. Exposed rat pups had marked abnormalities in the cells that produce insulin. The research seems to suggest that there may be environmental hazards that contribute to the development of diabetes as a contributor independent from family genetics.

Meanwhile, Dr Francis Ofei, a medical doctor at the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital indicates that energy drinks have been found to contribute to diabetes among the people he serves in Ghana.

Information may be less wide spread in this country where many doctors believe a large number of citizens may be undiagnosed diabetics.

The reason Dr. Ofei suggests energy drinks are a contributor to diabetes is the high calories and popularity of the drinks. These drinks also feature high carbs, which may also contribute to the findings.

Finally, a recent report indicates, “Diabetes has reached near-epidemic proportions in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with nearly one out of every five individuals suffering from diabetes in the UAE. In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence is expected to rise to between 40-50% by 2020.”

The reason for the expected rise is a deficiency in health care. The report states a lack of care may be due to, “systemic deficiencies, regulatory changes and socio-economic factors.”

There are pharmaceutical companies that are working to bring their medicinal offerings to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “In Saudi Arabia, almost one Saudi in four beyond the age of 30 has diabetes mellitus costing the government $800 per month.”

Arabnews.com says, “To do nothing in the face of the emerging crisis, to ignore its seriousness, or to dismiss its impact is foolhardy and irresponsible.”

Further ArabNews.com suggests the following approaches to dealing with the diabetic crisis in the Middle East.

• Increased national awareness of diabetes.
• Greater recognition of the human, social and economic burden of diabetes.
• Recognition of the fact that diabetes is becoming a health priority.
• Implementation of cost-effective strategies to prevent diabetes complications.
• Affordable public-health strategies for the prevention of diabetes itself.
• Recognition of “special needs” groups (diabetes in children, the elderly, diabetes during pregnancy).

These suggestions are something every country has or will have to face in dealing with the growing problem of diabetes.

There seems to be a three-stage phase in dealing with diabetes.

1. Recognize it is an issue.
2. Make information a first response.
3. Develop strategies to cope with current issues and minimize future incidence of the disease.

This report dealt with new findings in medical research as well as diabetic issues facing various countries in our world. The sharing of research and information remains a key to finding better ways to mange this global crisis.

Diabetes: Prevention Attention: Sometimes it can be the simple thought starters that can help us make meaningful changes in our health. If you want to prevent diabetes in your own life or the lives of those you love most the following list from the National Diabetes Educational Program (NDEP is a government agency) might just spark some creative options in health.

• Keep meat, poultry and fish portions to about 3 ounces
• Try not to snack while cooking or cleaning the kitchen.
• Try to eat meals and snacks at regular times every day.
• Eat breakfast everyday.
• Use broth and cured meats in small amounts. They are high in sodium.
• Share a single dessert.
• When eating out, have a big vegetable salad, then split an entrée with a friend.
• Stir fry, broil, or bake with non-stick spray or low-sodium broth and cook with less oil and butter.
• Drink a glass of water 10 minutes before your meal to take the edge off your hunger.
• Make healthy choices at fast food restaurants.
• Listen to music while you eat instead of watching TV.
• Eat slowly
• Eat a small meal.
• Make less food look like more by serving your meal on a salad plate.
• Turn up the music and jam while doing household chores.
• Deliver a message in person to a co-worker instead of e-mailing.
• Take the stairs to your office.
• Catch up with friends on a regular basis during a planned walk.
• March in place while you watch TV.
• Park as far away as possible from your favorite store at the mall.
• Get off of the bus one stop early and walk the rest of the way home or to work.
• Try getting one new fruit or vegetable every time you grocery shop.
• Low-fat macaroni and cheese can be a main dish.
• Cook with a mix of spices instead of salt.
• Find a water bottle you really like and drink water from it wherever and whenever you can.
• Always keep a healthy snack with you.
• Choose veggie toppings like spinach, broccoli, and peppers for your pizza.
• Try different recipes for baking or broiling meat, chicken and fish.
• Try to choose foods with little or no added sugar.
• Gradually work your way down from whole milk to 2% milk until you’re drinking and cooking with fat-free (skim) or low-fat milk and milk products.
• Eat foods made from whole-grains such as—whole wheat, brown rice, oats, and whole-grain corn—every day.
• Don’t grocery shop on an empty stomach. Make a list before you go to the store.
• Read food labels.
• Slow down at snack time. Eating a bag of low-fat popcorn takes longer than eating a slice of cake.
• Try keeping a written record of what you eat for a week. It can help you see when you tend to overeat or eat foods high in fat or calories.
• Try one new activity or food a week.
• Find mellow ways to relax—try deep breathing, take an easy paced walk, or enjoy your favorite easy listening music.
• Try not to eat out of boredom or frustration
• Honor your health as your most precious gift.

Keep this list handy and find two ways each day to make positive changes in your lifestyle. This can serve to prevent diabetes or manage it better. You can do it – this list can help you accomplish your goals.

Businesses are Paying for Healthy Lifestyle Changes: Recently the New England Journal of Medicine tracked a new trend in business policy. It seems many companies are experimenting in rewarding employees for positive heath and lifestyle choices.

General Electric provided a group of employees with up to $750 in bonuses to stop smoking. About 10% of those who made it through the program remained smoke-free after 18 months compared to the national average of 3% for those who attempt to stop smoking on their own. Experts say the employee incentives are cost effective because the average annual expense related to a smoking employee is over $3,000 in work absenteeism, health care bills and lost productivity.

Why bring this up on a site dedicated to issues related to diabetes? The above is simply a prominent example of what businesses are doing to engage their employees in the arena of positive health choices. Some businesses will opt to provide a health club perk to employees with strong encouragement to use the membership. Others may provide a bonus based on the total number of days the employee registers to use a health club facility.

Businesses are discovering that the return on their health investment in members of their staff is profound. Employees are healthier and often more productive when physical exercise and positive health choices are encouraged by their employer. Employees appreciate these opportunities to be paid for making choices they already know they would be wise.

Dr. Ron Loeppke spoke about a recent Health and Productivity Forum, “U.S. employers today are significantly underestimating the overall costs associated with poor employee health, while also failing to fully assess the diseases and health conditions that drive these costs. We want to help employers understand that one of the best ways to lower costs is to provide programs that encourage health and wellness.”

Some large companies have gone so far as to provide an onsite medical facility available to employees.

This innovative approach to employee health may best be described as preventative medicine. Its implementation could have a positive role in leveraging assistance on the job for those who have diabetes. Secondarily, it may assist in lifestyle information that could impact personal choices and perhaps change course for those who may be on the road to Type 2 diabetes.

The idea of incentives really plays to the notion that people will respond to a motivation based on reward. If there is a tangible benefit from involvement individuals may participate purely out of selfishness. Whatever the motivation businesses are finding that there may be enough who will permanently change habits that the investment may be well worth funding.

The next step is often peer pressure where healthy staff members begin to exert positive pressure on other employees to explore the benefits associated with a healthy lifestyle. This can, to some degree, be a self-perpetuating scenario.

In the case of diabetes there can be a lack of motivation if only because depression seems to accompany this disease. Having a motivation that is outside of oneself may provide the drive to make changes.

I think it’s possible that businesses are seeing that the workplace has often unintentionally encouraged a sedentary lifestyle. Employees often sit at desks and manage work by phone or on computers without the need for physical exertion. Knowing this environment may not be conducive to good health the role of providing creative ways to encourage activity has become a means of employee responsibility for many businesses.

Eight Tips Your .Org Can Use to Gain Media Coverage: A powerful ally in the fight against diabetes is the media. If you are an organization looking to win the battle for media coverage there may be a few things that can help you achieve the support of the media.

1. The media does not have to help you. Unless you are willing to pay for advertising you cannot assume that your local media should be automatically thrilled to jump on your particular bandwagon. Media members are constantly barraged with requests to support or to cover a wide variety of exceptionally good causes. The fight against diabetes may simply be another in a long list of worthy causes.
2. Know what you are talking about before you talk about it. If you are granted time to talk to an editor or producer you need to have a firm grasp on what you want to see accomplished and you need to be able to articulate details about diabetes so they can see both your passion as well as how their coverage could be mutually beneficial.
3. Know who to talk to. Make some preliminary phone calls that can help you identify the individual you should talk to. Be complimentary without the use of flattery. Allow the media organization to offer ways to help, but if they don’t you should be prepared to offer a few suggestions of your own. Don’t push, but toss a few pebbles into the proverbial water to see what develops.
4. If a media interview is granted do not stand them up. You are at the mercy of the media. If they offer support do whatever you need to do to make yourself (or a reliable substitute) available for media coverage.
5. Be willing to start small. You might only be able to convince a media outlet to run a public service announcement about your organization, but you need to accept this as a small victory and allow some time to pass before you broach the subject again.
6. Offer an expert. Perhaps you are the expert on diabetes or you have a physician or nutritionist in your organization that is. Offer that expertise to the media when they encounter a story where sound bites might be needed related to diabetes coverage. They will list the expert as a member of the organization you are a part of. Once they see the value in accessing the talent pool in your organization they may be more willing to provide better coverage of your events or the underlying reason for your organizations existence.
7. Always show gratitude. With every bit of coverage you should send a note of thanks to the media outlet that saw fit to share your news. This is especially important in the beginning. Many media outlets will place these notes on a company bulletin board because they like the encouragement and they don’t always receive as much as they need.
8. Develop quality press releases. You might even go so far as to hand deliver them and let the media outlet know you are available to answer any questions they might have. This allows them to see your personal concern for the coverage and provides a professional synopsis of your latest news.

The media can be a valuable aid in the role any diabetes organization plays in a community, but knowing how to approach them may be the best way to develop a meaningful partnership in the role of community awareness.

The Origins of Diabetes UK: The Time Machine, The Invisible Man and War of the Worlds made H.G. Wells a master craftsman of science fiction and paved the way for modern science fiction writers.

Born to a family of common laborers it was a health issue that may have cause Herbert George Wells to see something more for his life than being a draper’s apprentice.

It was another health issue later in life that caused him to consider the possibility of leaving a legacy for those who must deal with diabetes.

At first Wells did not recognize what he could do to be a change maker in the culture of diabetes. There is an indication that by the early 1930’s Wells was no longer wealthy and was receiving care for diabetes from Dr. R.D. Lawrence. In 1933 Lawrence sent letters to patients asking for their help in establishing an in-patient care center for diabetics at the King’s College Hospital. Wells sent a small contribution, but felt there was little more he could do.  When Dr. Lawrence confronted Wells on his smaller than expected gift Wells felt compelled to write a letter to The Times asking for the assistance of the English population to make the facility a reality.

The people of England had not forgotten the much loved science fiction writer. They responded beyond all expectations and Lawrence soon had the facility he was after. Wells was so moved by the outpouring he wrote a separate letter within a year that outlined the potential of creating an organization dedicated to those who lived with diabetes. Wells wrote of the organization by saying its intent was, “To promote the study, the diffusion of knowledge, and the proper treatment of diabetes in this country.”

The public poured out their support for the idea and the organization now known as Diabetes UK was established. Wells used his disease and name recognition to establish something that may prove to be equal in timelessness to his novels.

Today this organization is more than 75 years old and was working on self managed care as a solution to the longevity of patients several decades before most physicians conventionally accepted this truth.

H.G. Wells wasn’t the only celebrity to voice support for Diabetes UK. In recent years more than 20 English stars have lent their support and name to the goals and objectives of the organization. Today more than 400 local groups in England have linked with this organization to provide thousands of residents with information they need to make positive choices when dealing with their disease.

The Diabetes UK website indicates the following milestones…

• 170,000 members.
• Answer over 200 enquiries a day.
• Spend up to £7.3 million a year on diabetes research.
• Produce a wide range of magazines, books and leaflets covering all aspects of diabetes.
• Run care support events, family days, conferences courses and roadshows.

Media volunteers with Diabetes UK are routinely called on by radio, television and print organizations to lend a human and expert touch to stories they may be covering that deal with diabetes.

Diabetes UK is the oldest organization of its kind in England and its founders would be gratified to learn of the advances in diabetes management and the information that is regularly distributed through this worthwhile organization.

The Diabetic Burden: ScienceDaily.com recently reported some startling findings related to the prevalence of diabetes in America. One in three individuals over the age of 65 have been diagnosed with diabetes, but perhaps the real story is the numbers of individuals diagnosed who are being discovered at a younger age each year.

This report indicates adults younger than 65 have a pre-diabetes diagnosis that stand at about one-third of everyone in this age range. Catherine Cowie Ph.D., lead author of the report indicated, “We’re facing a diabetes epidemic that shows no signs of abating, judging from the number of individuals with pre-diabetes.”

This startling information is part of a survey conducted by the National institute of Health and offers the following analysis…

• The rate of diagnosed diabetes increased between the surveys, but the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes and pre-diabetes remained relatively stable.
• Minority groups continue to bear a disproportionate burden. The prevalence of diabetes, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, in non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican- Americans is about 70 to 80 percent higher than that of non-Hispanic whites.
• Diabetes prevalence was virtually the same in men and women, as was the proportion of undiagnosed cases.
• Pre-diabetes is more common in men than in women (36 percent compared to 23 percent).
• Diabetes is rare in youth ages 12 to 19 years, but about 16 percent have pre-diabetes.

Researchers believe that a significant rise in obesity is the most probable culprit in the rise of diabetes in the U.S. They refer to this as an epidemic that will have, “Grave implications for our health care system.”

Ed Gregg, Ph.D. of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) said, “These findings of yet another increase in diabetes prevalence are a reminder that a full-scale public health response is in order. Re-directing the trends in diabetes will require changing the nutritional and physical activity habits of people at risk, and also creative and substantial efforts by health systems and communities.”

The struggle will be the change in attitude and action related to the disease. It seems as if there is a general dread of the disease without a strong enough motivation to do much to personally change the outcome.

This report further suggests that the following would make a great checklist to see if you might be due for testing.

• Are age 45 or older
• Have a family history of diabetes
• Are overweight
• Are inactive (exercise less than three times a week)
• Are members of a high-risk ethnic population (e.g., African American, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander)
• Have high blood pressure: 140/90 mm/Hg or higher
• Have an HDL cholesterol less than 35 mg/dL or a triglyceride level 250 mg/dL or higher
• Have had diabetes that developed during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) or have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
• Have polycystic ovary syndrome, a metabolic disorder that affects the female reproductive system
• Have acanthosis nigricans (dark, thickened skin around neck or armpits)
• Have a history of disease of the blood vessels to the heart, brain, or legs
• Have had higher-than-normal blood glucose levels on previous testing.

If pre-diabetes is detected there are several things you can do to reverse course. This includes a change in eating habits and the addition of physical activity.

An Insulin Dependent Worker Protected by The ADA: The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 went into effect January 1, 2009. There may already be some clarification on how this act may affect those who have insulin dependent diabetes. We’ll explore this new development a little later in this article.

The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) provided this summary of the new ADAAA rules in October of 2008 to help clarify their position on the subject.

The Act makes important changes to the definition of the term “disability” by rejecting the holdings in several Supreme Court decisions and portions of EEOC’s ADA regulations. The Act retains the ADA’s basic definition of “disability” as an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment. However, it changes the way that these statutory terms should be interpreted in several ways. Most significantly, the Act:

• Directs EEOC to revise that portion of its regulations defining the term “substantially limits”;
• Expands the definition of “major life activities” by including two non-exhaustive lists:
• The first list includes many activities that the EEOC has recognized (e.g., walking) as well as activities that EEOC has not specifically recognized (e.g., reading, bending, and communicating);
• The second list includes major bodily functions (e.g., “functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions”);
• States that mitigating measures other than “ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses” shall not be considered in assessing whether an individual has a disability;
• Clarifies that an impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active;
• Provides that an individual subjected to an action prohibited by the ADA (e.g., failure to hire) because of an actual or perceived impairment will meet the “regarded as” definition of disability, unless the impairment is transitory and minor;
• Provides that individuals covered only under the “regarded as” prong are not entitled to reasonable accommodation; and
• Emphasizes that the definition of “disability” should be interpreted broadly.

A recent ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals may have helped provide some clarity on how the new ADA Amendments Act affects those who have diabetes.

Larry Rohr had been diagnosed as an insulin dependant Type 2 diabetic back in 2000. His employer, Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District of Arizona, had provided some accommodations for Rohr that seemed to be in line with the ADA guidelines. Because Rohr’s condition required strict adherence to insulin injections and food intake his doctor requested Rohr be removed from a travel schedule. Salt River determined these accommodations rendered Rohr unable to fulfill essential functions of his job. They offered Rohr, “another position within Salt River that would be consistent with his limitations; applying for disability payments; or taking early retirement.”

Rohr took Salt River to court claiming discrimination under ADA rules. The court recently ruled in favor of Rohr. The ruling effectively means, “Being an insulin-dependent diabetic can be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

This ruling was not specifically in support of the new ADAAA, but because it was a ruling derived from existing ADA rules it provides precedent for other diabetics who may face similar circumstances.

Could Alzheimer’s Be the New Type 3 Diabetes: Health Day News recently reported a development that may come as a surprise to many. The finding of recent research suggests that the dementia disease Alzheimer’s may actually be a newly discovered form of diabetes.

Research cosponsored by Northwestern University and the University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil suggest that insulin therapy can repel toxic proteins that attack cells that are important to memory retention.

Bill Klein of Northwestern University praised the research team by proclaiming, “We’ve solved a big mystery that people have been puzzled about and I think that’s going to take us a step closer to getting an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.”

Lead author of the study, William L. Klein, is quoted as saying; “Sensitivity to insulin can decline with aging, which presents a novel risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Our results demonstrate that bolstering insulin signaling can protect neurons from harm.”

In the study drugs used to aid those who have Type 2 diabetes (including insulin) were used to protect cells from the brains memory center. This diabetic drug cocktail protected against amyloid beta-derived diffusible ligands, or ADDLs, which has been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s.

A press release on the research had co-lead author Fernanda G. De Felice indicating, “The discovery that anti-diabetic drugs shield synapses against ADDLs offers new hope for fighting memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease.”

Meanwhile researchers from the UK have been bold in saying that this finding may lend to new medical therapies for treating Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Victoria King with Diabetes UK said, “This study is in its early stages but it is interesting because it suggests that insulin, alongside drugs that help the body use insulin more effectively, may protect against the underlying biological mechanisms associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease.”

It has already been established that individuals with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Science may just now be understanding the significant role insulin deprivation can have on this disease.

What makes this an interesting development is that it appears the brain responds to the body’s attempt to supply insulin in much the same way the rest of the body responds in diabetic patients – it is resistant to its beneficial effects. It repels the insulin while ADDL’s (toxic proteins) cause havoc within the brain.

One of the primary struggles with moving forward with the information now available is that the research was done on brain cells that were removed from the hippocampus. There is no specific way to infuse mega doses of insulin directly into the brain. What that means is that medical science would need to develop a delivery method that is different than current options.

At Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York research there has shown that diabetics who take insulin as well as diabetic pills have a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s.

Like other forms of diabetes there are also strong indications that self managed care including diet and exercise can also have a profound effect on the development of Alzheimer’s.

The Alzheimer’s Association reports that 5.2 million U.S. citizens have the disease. Millions more are affected on a global scale. While there is disagreement as to the authority of the designation some researchers in this field of study have referred to Alzheimer’s as Type 3 diabetes.

Monica Spins for a Cure: Monica is the mother of a Type 1 diabetic son named Ethan. Her boy is ten years old and carries an insulin pump with him everywhere he goes. On a YouTube video announcement Monica says, “Remember, insulin isn’t a cure. It’s just life support.” Ethan appears to agree with his mother’s assessment.

Monica doesn’t have diabetes and it doesn’t run in her family, but she’s had to adapt and learn quickly how best to care for her son. He was diagnosed before he even turned two.

Today Monica Maliskas is a huge proponent of diabetic research. So much so that she is heavily involved in the development of what is known in her part of Texas as the “12-Hour Cycle for a Cure”. This indoor spinning marathon using stationary bicycles raises money for research in juvenile diabetes, also known as Type 1.

Her mother’s heart is evident as she continues to spin the wheel of her bike after everyone else has given up. As she told the Dallas Morning News, “He [Ethan] never gets a break.” Monica endured to the end of her 12-hour marathon – for Ethan – and all the kids his disease represents.

Last year the event raised nearly $75,000 for research purposes. Some 300 participants each donated $100 to participate for at least one hour this year. Many also worked to increase giving by asking friends and family to support them beyond the $100 gift.

Some spinners managed much more than an hour as they worked to train for upcoming endurance events involving bikes. In the end it was Monica Maliskas alone who agonized to keep the wheels spinning throughout all twelve hours.

She does this for Ethan and for all the other children who are hoping for a cure – hoping to find a time and place in their life when they aren’t tied to an insulin pump and subjected to multiple finger pricks in order to find out how their blood sugar is doing at any given moment.

It is easy to view diabetes as a disease that can rob children of their childhood. While Ethan does have more personal responsibility for his health he is also actively involved in sports and many other activities kids his age enjoy.

What Ethan does have to pay attention to what he eats and how much he consumes. He has to be aware that each day his insulin needs can change. When it comes to food he can’t be as carefree as his peers. He has to exercise patience and self-control.

Ethan is not alone. His family has publicly expressed their commitment to helping him reach his health goals and then further to help others achieve the potential of advanced treatment options or even a cure – one spin of a wheel at a time.

Monica’s labor of love for Ethan might just inspire you to do something similar where you live. It doesn’t need to be a bike-a-thon. It could be a walk-a-thon on a well-known path in your region. It could be a jog, jump rope, or outdoor biking trip. Events like this raise awareness and can provide much needed resources for organizations dedicated to discovering a cure. There may even be an existing effort in which you can involve yourself.

The secondary benefit will be that those who live with the disease will gain encouragement from your selfless act knowing that what you are doing can impact them in multiple and positive ways.