Fighting diabetes in Maine

To the editor:
    The diabetes epidemic has no bounds — even here in Maine. Children, co-workers, caregivers, minorities, and the elderly are some of the many faces of diabetes in our community. Could you be one of these faces?     Nearly 21 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes and another 54 million Americans have pre-diabetes, which puts them at serious risk for developing type 2 diabetes. It is a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and lower limb amputation. Unfortunately, many people are unaware they have diabetes or are at risk for developing the disease.
    The burden of diabetes in Maine is extensive; more than 80,000 adults in Maine are living with diabetes and waiting for a cure. What can the people of Maine do to help stop diabetes in its tracks?
    As we are preparing for American Diabetes Month in November, it is an ideal opportunity to get involved with your local American Diabetes Association. Participate in an event or educational program. Volunteer. Be a Diabetes Advocate and write your local government representative urging them to support diabetes-related legislation. I welcome readers to learn more about diabetes at the American Diabetes Association’s website, www.diabetes.org, or to take the diabetes risk test online at www.diabetes.org/risk-test. For those who do not have access to the internet, information and the risk test can be obtained by calling 1-800-DIABETES.
    The future of our community is at risk. What are you going to do to help the many faces of diabetes?