November is National Diabetes Month
Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert Kicks-Off National Diabetes Awareness Month
Washington, D.C.-November 1, 1999-Today, Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the U.S.
House of Representatives kicked off National Diabetes Awareness Month with a new
public service announcement for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International
(JDF). Diabetes affects 16 million Americans and accounts for more than $105
billion in annual U.S. health-care costs. The 30-second television PSA is a
bipartisan spot featuring the Speaker and children with diabetes representing
all ethnic groups.
"During November, National Diabetes Awareness Month, Republicans and Democrats
are united in urging you to know the warning signs of this deadly disease which
kills one American every three minutes," said Speaker Hastert. "I’m pleased to
join the JDF in the fight to find a cure for a disease that affects young and
old alike. People with diabetes deserve more to look forward to than a lifetime
with an incurable disease and I’m committed to doing my part."
The warning signs of diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination,
constant hunger, unexplained weight loss, and drowsiness and exhaustion. Of the
16 million Americans affected by diabetes, approximately 5.4 million remain
undiagnosed. Diabetes is a chronic, genetically determined, debilitating disease
affecting every organ system. Insulin is not a cure, but merely life support.
There are two major types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 (juvenile) is
caused by the autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing cells in the
pancreas and is usually, though not always, diagnosed in childhood. People with
Type 1 must take insulin to live. People with Type 2 (adult onset) produce
insulin, but their bodies do not use it effectively. Type 2 is usually diagnosed
in adulthood and does not always require insulin injections.
"We’re so thankful to have Speaker Hastert join JDF in our quest for a cure,"
said John J. McDonough, JDF Chairman of the Board. "My daughter and I both have
Type 1 diabetes and I’ve taken more than 55,000 insulin shots just to stay
alive. No one knows better than I do how much we need a cure."