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FRAMINGHAM – November is American Diabetes Month and this year, more than ever, it is critical that our community comes together to support those living with diabetes and to raise awareness of the disease.
As a resident of Framingham, a third-generation Type 2 diabetic and a member of the Community Leadership Board of the American Diabetes Association, I know firsthand the impact diabetes has on our families, friends and neighbors.
With the pandemic continuing to spread through our communities, this is a particularly difficult time for people living with diabetes—and for those who love them.
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More than 1 in 10 Americans – 34.2 million people – are living with diabetes. For people with the disease, COVID-19 poses a much greater threat of severe complications and even death. Forty percent of people who have died from COVID-19 were also living with diabetes.
Making matters worse is the fact many Americans lack the resources they need to stay healthy and people with diabetes are disproportionately affected. One in four insulin-dependent people with diabetes say they ration their insulin, a dangerous solution that can have devastating consequences.
Despite the daunting statistics and seemingly nonstop bad news, the American Diabetes Association is embracing a message of hope. This is a time to come together to empower one another, regardless of background or circumstance. Hope is greater than fear. Unity is greater than division. And actions are greater than words.
I ask our community to join the fight as we advocate for access to care for all through expanded COVID-19 testing, research, access to affordable insulin and more. We must also encourage people with diabetes to tackle the disease head on, so they not only survive but thrive through the right balance of nutrition, physical activity and mental health management.
As we approach Giving Tuesday, I also ask that you consider making a contribution to fuel the mission of the American Diabetes Association. Your support will play a crucial role in helping to make a difference in the lives of the millions living with diabetes.
Enough is enough. Together, we can conquer this disease and everything that comes with it.
Sincerely,
Jim McManus
ADA Community Leadership Board member & Framingham resident
MetroWest Medical Center