ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two members of
 Congress, Rep. Michael Castle (R-DE) and Rep. Zack Space (D-OH) this week
 took part in a "Day With Diabetes" -- a demonstration sponsored by the
 American Diabetes Association (ADA) to illustrate what it is like to live
 with diabetes and keep it properly managed. Tuesday and Wednesday, ADA
 volunteers with diabetes shadowed Reps. Castle and Space and assisted them
 with their diabetes management. During the day, the Congressmen took their
 diabetes "medication," performed finger sticks, and addressed meal choices,
 all in an effort to manage their blood glucose levels and keep their
 diabetes under control. Prior to their "Day with Diabetes," Castle and
 Space met with certified diabetes educator (CDE) Cherrel Christian, and a
 registered dietician (RD), Janet Jones, in Washington, DC to discuss their
 diagnosis of diabetes and treatment plan. Both women volunteered their time
 and are part of an ADA-recognized diabetes education program run through
 Prince George's Hospital in Cheverly, MD.
 
     "It's important for members of Congress to truly understand the
 personal impact diabetes has on millions of Americans," said Ann Albright,
 Ph.D., RD, and President, Health Care & Education of the American Diabetes
 Association. "They are fighting this disease daily in order to stay healthy
 and prevent serious and costly complications. Standing in their shoes for a
 day is a meaningful way to foster greater awareness of diabetes."
 
     Castle, who is co-chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, was
 "diagnosed" with type 1 diabetes and was shadowed by CJ Jones, who has had
 type 1 diabetes for 30 years. Jones joined Castle in Wilmington and Newark,
 Delaware. Space, whose son has type 1 diabetes, was "diagnosed" with type 2
 diabetes and was shadowed by Bertha Garbrandt, who has had type 2 diabetes
 for nine years. Garbrandt joined Space in St. Clairsville and Tuscarawas
 County, Ohio on Tuesday
 
     In September, Castle and Space will hold a Congressional briefing --
 along with Jones and Campbell -- to recount their experience living with
 diabetes for a day. The "Day with Diabetes" was held in collaboration with
 CVS Pharmacy, an ADA National Strategic Partner, which supplied the
 diabetes management tools used by the Congressmen and will sponsor the
 September briefing.
 
     Diabetes is one of this nation's most prevalent, debilitating, deadly
 and costly diseases. Nearly 21 million American children and adults live
 with diabetes, and another 54 million have pre-diabetes. According to the
 CDC, one in three Americans -- and one in two minorities -- born in 2000
 will develop diabetes in their lifetime, if current trends continue. Every
 year, diabetes contributes to over 224,000 deaths.
 
     The ADA is the nation's leading voluntary health organization
 supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. The Association's
 advocacy efforts include helping to combat discrimination against people
 with diabetes; advocating for the increase of federal diabetes research and
 programs; and improved access to, and quality of, healthcare for people
 with diabetes. The ADA's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to
 improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Founded in 1940, the
 Association provides service to hundreds of communities across the country.
 For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at
 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit http://www.diabetes.org.
 Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.
 
 
 
 

SOURCE American Diabetes Association