Awakening the Spirit: Pathways to Prevention & Control

---

You can make a difference!

We have made great strides in working with Congress to extend the Special Diabetes Program for Indians, a program that helps you and your community. Congress recently voted to override President Bush's veto of the Medicare bill, which included a two-year extension for the Special Diabetes Programs (SDP). These programs require joint Congressional reauthorization and will now continue through September of 2011. Now is the time to celebrate your hard work to protect SDP and to thank your Senators and Representatives for extending these critical programs.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has worked closely with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) to reauthorize the Special Diabetes Program for Indians.

Take action today:

Thank your Member of Congress today: Send a thank you letter for their support, today through our Action Center. Complete the form with your information and click the Send Your Message button to send your letter to your Members of Congress. Please take a moment to personalize your letter to explain how diabetes has impacted your life and your community. Congressional staff remember stories better than statistics and personalized emails will have an even greater impact than form emails. Personalizing your communication is extremely important! Register with our ADA Action Center. You will receive regular updates on federal and state diabetes legislation.

Years ago, Native Americans did not have diabetes. Elders can recall times when people hunted and gathered food for simple meals. People walked a lot. Now, in some Native communities, one in two adults has diabetes.

Awakening the Spirit: Pathways to Diabetes Prevention & Control was created to help share important messages about diabetes. No one should have to fight diabetes alone.

It is important for you to know:

• People with diabetes can manage it. 
• People with diabetes can live full lives
• People with diabetes can be well enough to watch their grandchildren grow up.

Through working with other organizations including the Indian Health Service, developing and disseminating educational materials and participating in advocacy activities, Awakening the Spirit is working to encourage your spirit to fight diabetes, to make healthy food choices and be more active.

All of these things will help create a healthy pathway for you and the generations that will follow after you.

Nationally and locally, Native American communities around the country are working through Awakening the Spirit to encourage Congress to continue funding diabetes education programs in tribal communities. Writing, faxing, calling and visiting congressional members are several strategies employed at the community level to lobby for issues of concern specifically addressing needs identified by the Native American community.

The volunteer leadership of Awakening the Spirit, representing various tribal communities, invites you to join in the fight against diabetes.

Knowledge is Power

Knowledge is power in the fight against diabetes. We have information to share with you, your family and community about living well with diabetes. Call us at 1-800-DIABETES (342-2383).

The American Diabetes Association also offers a variety of books to help people with diabetes and their families live healthy. Visit our online bookstore to learn more.