Together for the Win

On Thursday, American Diabetes Association advocates from all over the country stormed Capitol Hill  and the White House urging Congress to make diabetes a priority and invest in diabetes research and prevention.

At our press conference on Capitol Hill on Thursday morning, I had the privilege of announcing a new team that is now a part of the American Diabetes Association family. Team Tackle unites the Association with 45 current and former professional football players and top draft picks – representing all 32 professional football teams – to draw attention to diabetes and prediabetes.

During the press conference,  Dr. Maggie Powers, the Association’s President of Health Care and Education, and I had the opportunity to deliver the Association’s 2016 Stop Diabetes petition – with more than 79,000 signatures – and our asks for federal funding for diabetes research and programs to Senate Diabetes Caucus Co-Chairs U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Susan M. Collins.

The event also shared the important message that diabetes touches everyone in our country, featuring stories from Team Tackle members Dont’a Hightower (New England), Mike Golic (sports commentator and retired player) and Lorenzo Alexander (free agent). Association volunteers and diabetes advocates Gina Gavlak, National Advocacy Committee Chair; Michelle Foster, member of the National Advocacy Committee; and  Aiden Dine, an 11-year-old diabetes advocate who has type 1 diabetes, were present to share their personal stories as well. 

But we aren’t stopping there. Team Tackle members, Association leadership and advocates are now heading to meetings with members of Congress to discuss the importance of federal support for diabetes research and programs.

We’re excited about this week's kickoff for Team Tackle, but it is simply the beginning. Team Tackle is asking you to support children with diabetes in gaining the skills and confidence they need to manage their diabetes by sending them to camp.

This isn’t your typical summer camp—these are American Diabetes Association® Diabetes Camps. They offer a safe, fun place for kids with diabetes to participate in traditional camp activities while learning healthy habits – nutrition, fitness and diabetes management skills – and creating lifelong friendships. American Diabetes Association® camps welcome children with type 1 diabetes and those who are at-risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

At camp, health care professionals oversee daily diabetes care and help campers learn to live successfully with their disease. Through teachable moments, campers develop self-confidence and learn to become more independent.

You can find more information about become a Camp Champion by visiting diabetes.org/CampChampion.

As Team Tackle’s tagline says – we’re together for the win when it comes to tackling diabetes! Won't you join us in this exciting new partnership?