By Russ George
Help the Diabetes Club of For Valley raise funds to fight diabetes Tuesday, Nov. 19, by eating at Portillo’s, 531 N. Randall Road, in Batavia, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.. DCFV’s fundraising chairperson, Jenny McCain, has arranged for our Diabetes Club to receive 20% of an order, when ordering online or in app for pickup by using code PORTILLOS22 before checkout, in the “Coupon Code” field, or show our flyer or a digital version, to cashier when ordering at the restaurant. Valid on drive thru, pickup, kiosk, and in restaurant orders. Request flyer by E-mail: Diabetesclubfv@gmail.com or by text: 630-205-9065.
Diabetes Awareness Month is observed every November to raise awareness about the impact of diabetes, a chronic disease that affects millions of people of all ages, in America.
November 14, is World Diabetes Day, which provides an opportunity to raise awareness about diabetes as a critical global public health issue, and emphasize the collective and individual actions needed to improve prevention, diagnosis, and management of diabetes.
There are different types of diabetes including type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (GDM), which occurs during pregnancy, and may result in varying complications and health outcomes.
Nationally, more than 38 million Americans, approximately 12% of our population, have diabetes, including children. Even more concerning, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) estimates that 97 million individuals in the United States are prediabetic.
In type 1 diabetes, your immune system mistakenly destroys the beta cells in your pancreas that makes insulin. Your body treats beta cells as foreign invaders and destroys them. This can happen over a few weeks, months, or years.
When enough beta cells are gone, your pancreas stops making insulin, or makes so little insulin that you need to take insulin to live. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people, but can appear in adults.
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. At first, the beta cells make extra insulin to make up for it. But, over time, your pancreas can’t make enough insulin to keep blood glucose at normal levels. Type 2 diabetes develops most often in middle aged and older adults, but can appear in younger people. Some people with type 2 diabetes can manage their diabetes with healthy eating and exercise. However, your doctor may need to also prescribe oral medications (pills) and/or insulin to help you meet your target blood glucose levels.
Many efforts to combat diabetes focus on older individuals, but women of reproductive age and children are also heavily impacted by this disease. Nearly 9% of all pregnant women in the United States are diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GDM), which affects the health of both parent and baby. For most women, blood glucose levels will return to normal after giving birth. If you’ve had GDM you will need to be tested regularly, since you are at much higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Members of the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley work together, to raise awareness of diabetes in the Fox Valley area. DCFV members also raise funds to provide aid, education, and research to find a cure for diabetes. Uncontrolled blood sugar (glucose) can cause vision problems, heart problems, nerve damage, dental problems, kidney damage, and loss of limbs. Diet and exercise are two of the most powerful tools we have to help control our blood glucose. Eat healthy, stay active, and have a yearly blood test, to stay diabetes-free!
The Diabetes Club of Fox Valley currently meets monthly, on the second Wednesday of each month, January through November, at Oak Street Restaurant, 945 Oak Street, in North Aurora. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.. Guests are always welcome!
Why not consider joining our fight against diabetes? You don’t need to be diabetic to be a member of our club! Why not attend one of our meetings or events! Guests are always welcome at membership meetings and club events! Yearly individual membership dues are $50 per year. Corporate dues are $150 per year, which includes a sponsorship listing on our website: www.diabeteshelpnearme.com.
The Diabetes Club of Fox Valley is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization. Tax deductible donations can be made on our website: diabeteshelpnearme.com or mail your tax deductible donation to: Diabetes Club of Fox Valley, P.O. Box 88, North Aurora, Illinois 60542.
Have questions about the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley, please call, text or send an E-mail with your name and address to president Russ George, 630-205-9065 or send Email: Diabetesclubfv@gmail.com.
Please continue to keep informed about our club’s upcoming events, by following us in The Voice, on Facebook, and on our website: diabeteshelpnearme.com.