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The American Diabetes Association celebrates their volunteers during National Volunteer Appreciation Week (NVAW), April 15-21, 2012. This year’s NVAW theme is Celebrating People in Action to Stop Diabetes®. This is a time the Association highlights the dedication and efforts of volunteers who support our cause year-round.

“American Diabetes Association volunteers believe in our vision of life free of diabetes and all its burdens,” said L. Hunter Limbaugh, Chair of the Board, American Diabetes Association. “During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we salute their remarkable contributions and countless hours given to support diabetes awareness. They are truly the foundation of the Association.”

One volunteer being recognized this week is Sam Dagogo-Jack, MD of Memphis, Tenn. Dagogo-Jack has been an Association volunteer for more than 15 years. He is the A.C. Mullins professor in Translational Research, professor of medicine, and Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. As a volunteer, he is chair of the Association’s Research Grants Review Committee and involved with the Memphis-area Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes®.

“Volunteering, for me, is the perfect complement to research,” explains Dagogo-Jack. “It helps elevate the drive to find a cure when you can step out of the lab and be among other volunteers who are connected by their passion to change the future of this disease.”

Diabetes is a serious disease that affects nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States, with an additional 79 million, or one in three American adults, at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Our volunteers continue to bring attention to this disease and give back to the community. To find a volunteer opportunity near you visit: www.diabetes.org/volunteer. You can also share your story on becoming a volunteer at stopdiabetes.com.