November is American Diabetes Month and the American Diabetes Association is sponsoring its national movement to "Stop Diabetes."

There are more than 24 million children and adults living with diabetes while there are 57 million other Americans at risk for Type 2 diabetes (adult onset diabetes). One of every three children born today will face a future with diabetes if the current trend continues. Diabetes can lead to potentially life-threatening situations such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputation.

There are several Bergen County-based initiatives designed to promote awareness of American Diabetes Month. These programs will take place at local Rite Aid and Walgreens pharmacies. Rite Aid is offering free 2009 Stop Diabetes guides. Stop Diabetes pin-ups are also available for $1 with proceeds going to the American Diabetes Association. The pin-up includes $8 worth of coupons for use at Rite Aid.

The Walgreens Wellness Event offers free blood glucose and A1C testing plus pharmacist consultation. Walgreens will donate $1 to the ADA for every test performed.

International pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Aventis will also sponsor an ADA program geared toward local businesses on November 5 at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford. For more information or to RSVP, call 732-469-7979, ext. 3512.

The ADA is also asking for people to join and help launch the movement by inspiring others with personal stories. Beginning Nov. 2, visit www.stopdiabetes.com or join the Stop Diabetes group on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about joining the movement, inviting others to join and to share information and stories.

Joining the Stop Diabetes Movement is as easy as picking up your cell phone. Text JOIN to 69866 and wait for the ADA to text you with simple actions you can take to make a difference in fighting the disease. In addition, by visiting the ADA website you can learn how to organize and participate in walk-a-thons and bike-a-thons.

Local schools are also encouraged to promote their own School Walk for Diabetes, which is an educational fundraising program that promotes healthy living. Go to www.boarshead.com/ada.php. The program is sponsored by Boar’s Head cold cuts. Twenty of the first 200 schools to register before Dec. 4 will win a $150 faculty luncheon.

Finally, the ADA will be sponsoring an American Girl Fashion Show to benefit youth initiatives and the SchoolWalk program at the Castle at Skylands Manor in Ringwood. It will take place on Nov. 14 (noon; 5 p.m.) and Nov. 15 (11 a.m.; 3 p.m.) with doors opening an hour before the shows. Space is limited. If you are interested in modeling information, volunteering or attending this event, please contact Liz Washo at 1-888-342-2383 ext. 4623 or lwasho@diabetes.org.

On a more global level, World Diabetes Day, which was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation, will be marked on Nov. 14. World Diabetic Kid’Z Day/Weekend is slated for Nov. 6 - 8 and will be the lead-in to World Diabetes Day. There will be a Tweet 4 D’Cure-A-Thon live for 24 hours on Twitter and Livestream Internet TV at www.livestream.com/globalawareness.org.

American Diabetes Association
www.stopdiabetes.com; 1-800-Diabetes