During the holiday season, the American Diabetes Association® encourages people to share their story on why they give to our mission. Whether it’s through local events, planned giving, one-time donations or in memory of a loved one, these gifts go a long way in helping us save lives and continue the search for a cure.
The following are stories from our generous supporters and organizations that have donated or fundraised on our behalf throughout the years.
Treating diabetes looked very different when the American Diabetes Association first
began directly funding research in 1952. Diabetes management involved thick needles and embarrassing, slow-acting and inaccurate urine tests.
Today, thanks to decades of critical research made possible through generous supporters, people with diabetes are living longer, healthier lives. They have better treatment options. They have more advanced technologies. Their health care providers have access to the most up-to-date and relevant information to guide their care.
But there is so much work left to do. The Association is committed to funding the research that promises tomorrow’s advances and, one day, a life free of diabetes and all its burdens.
That is why Barbara, from New York City, supports the Association through an IRA and Annuity contribution Diabetes has impacted Barbara’s family, including her maternal grandmother, who had type 1 diabetes, and father, who had type 2 diabetes.
Although Barbara doesn’t live with diabetes herself, she knows quite a few people who do, and this has sparked her great interest in diabetes research. She attends various lectures on diabetes and scientific programs and feels strongly that with more funding for research, diabetes will one day be eliminated.
“So many people all around the world and in the United States have diabetes, so we really need to do more about it,” Barbara told the Association. “I recently met another person with diabetes who currently has complications. I was happy to pass along helpful information about managing diabetes from your organization to her.”
Barbara recently attended the Association’s Supporter Tele-Town Hall on Dec. 7, 2015, featuring Chief Scientific and Medical Officer Robert E. Ratner, MD, FACP, FACE. During the town hall Barbara was able to hear firsthand the latest news about research and diabetes care. She hopes to see progress toward a cure so diabetes will no longer affect so many people.
“I’m most proud of doing something worthwhile with the money I have saved,” Barbara said. “It’s important to me that I leave a legacy that will go a long way toward helping many people. Some people gamble and do other things with their money; I prefer to give it to something important.”
We hope you’re inspired by Barbara’s story as much as we are. Please take a moment now to make a generous year end gift to change the future of diabetes. Your donation, no matter what size, will help us fund cutting-edge research and also allow us to advocate for billions of dollars of federal government research and provide community-based programs to help people across the U.S. live healthier lives today.
Visit diabetes.org/donate to help make a difference.
Source Diabetes Stops Here http://ift.tt/1ThGk4T
