Prince Hall Shriners Present $100,000 Donation to the American Diabetes Association to Further Research for and Increase Awareness of Diabetes in the African American Community

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Sep 23, 2015, 01:00 ET

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Diabetes Association (Association) accepted a $100,000 donation presented by the Prince Hall Shriners (PHS) and its' Auxillary, to support the Association's African American/Live Empowered® initiative and a peer-reviewed research project on the impact of stress on type 2 diabetes risk in ethnic minorities.

Effective information about the seriousness of diabetes and its risk factors is essential in preventing and managing diabetes, yet many African Americans do not receive culturally competent or linguistically appropriate prevention services. Without the right resources the incidence of diabetes, prediabetes and obesity continue to increase rapidly in the community.

"This generous donation will help to expand our reach in African American communities. Nearly 30 million people in the U.S. are affected by diabetes and 1 out of every 8 African Americans has diabetes, so the need for effective programs and focused research is great," said Felicia Hill-Briggs, PhD, ABPP, professor at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and American Diabetes Association board member. "The American Diabetes Association is immensely grateful to the Prince Hall Shriners for their commitment to champion diabetes research and education to address these health disparities."

A portion of the donation will support the Association's African American educational initiative Live Empowered. This initiative develops culturally appropriate materials and community-based activities that empower, educate and create measurable differences in the prevalence of diabetes and its complications among people of African descent. The remaining portion of the PHS contribution will be directed toward an Association-sponsored study conducted by Rebecca Hasson, PhD, from the University of Michigan. Dr. Hasson's project, which was selected through the Association's independent peer-review process, aims to understand whether stress contributes to increased diabetes risk in minority youth. The objective of this project is to comprehend which aspects of stress have the greatest influence on type 2 diabetes risk and should be targeted for behavioral or environmental changes.

"Through this donation the Prince Hall Shriners are reinforcing our continued dedication to fighting diabetes," said Rochelle "Rick" Julian, Imperial Potentate (President) of the Prince Hall Shriners. "We value our collaboration with the American Diabetes Association and are proud of our part in stamping out this debilitating disease."

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes® and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. For the past 75 years, our mission has been to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

Established in 1870, the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (AEAONMS), also known as the Prince Hall Shriners, raises funds to support its four national programs: National Diabetes Initiative, Shriners as Mentors, Educational Scholarships, and St. Jude Children's Hospital. The National Diabetes Initiative is a collaborative effort between the AEAONMS and the American Diabetes Association. The initiative addresses the shared concerns about the devastating impact of diabetes in the African American population. The Prince Hall Shriners make an annual donation to support the Association's education and awareness programs while funding research to find a cure.

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SOURCE American Diabetes Association