Did you know that Congress funds school nutrition programs for about 30 million children across the nation each day? The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP) must regularly be renewed by Congress, and you can help ensure your lawmakers understand the importance of kids getting healthy food at school each day. Since 2010, when Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, the legislation called for new evidence-based nutrition standards for school meals.
It’s open enrollment time. Here’s what you need to know.
The New Year brings lots of new, exciting changes—including, for some, a new health insurance plan. For those of us with diabetes, choosing the right health care plan involves more than just picking the one with the lowest monthly premium cost. It’s important to be prepared and do a little research before your open enrollment period. The ADA wants our community to thrive and live healthy lives with diabetes, so we’re sharing tips and resources to help you choose the plan that is best for you.
Sydney Williams is a founder, author, speaker, hike leader, outdoor advocate and self-described feeler of feelings. This is her story:
Diabetes is the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me
Kylie’s son, Rowen, lives with type 1 diabetes—but Kylie refuses to let the fear hold their family back.
Antoinette lives with type 2 diabetes and is committed to fighting the stigma surrounding it. She writes about her experience at realdiabetics.com.
I was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic about 4 years ago at the age of 42. My introduction to diabetes was quite amazing. I woke up in the ICU of the hospital to learn that my blood sugar on admission was 1315. Yes, you read that right—1315. My A1C was 18.2. I was in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Alfonzo has type 1 diabetes and has battled the disease on a very low income. This is his story:
Still Fighting After 18 Surgeries
I was 16 years old when I got diagnosed with diabetes. I had been using the bathroom a lot, drinking a lot of water, and eating anything that I could find. I was taken to a children’s hospital, where I was given a big bag of insulin [vials] to bring down my A1C. I then had to do a week of classes. It seemed like nobody wanted to help me, but no one in my community really understood diabetes.
Roger lives with type 2 diabetes and resides in New Jersey.
June 11, 2019 is the day that changed my life forever. This is the day that I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. However, as most diabetics, my journey started years earlier. This is my story about my journey to better health.
The ADA, represented by Safe at School Director Crystal Woodward, is a long-standing member of the Virginia Diabetes Council (VDC), a volunteer-led diabetes organization that advocates for diabetes prevention, management, and healthier lifestyle choices for Virginians.
Agne Kisonaite is a professional artist who transforms everyday objects into creative art & design. Her work includes paintings, sculptures, furniture and handmade rug designs as well as art venue staging. Agne won the Lithuanian National Design Prize in 2015, and in the same year her art object ‘Lipstick Tower’ shown in Hong Kong achieved a Guinness World Record. Agne dedicates part of her efforts to projects looking at improving the lives of those affected by diabetes. You can visit Agne's portfolio at agneart.com.
Growing up with a type 1 diabetic dad, I had to learn young what to do in emergencies. My dad always planned on dying young from his disease. God had other plans for him. My dad never took care of himself. My dad used to be a construction worker, building houses, racing bmx bikes, and riding crotch rockets. He was my superhero dad.
Give Today and Change lives!
With your support, the American Diabetes Association® can continue our lifesaving work to make breakthroughs in research and provide people with the resources they need to fight diabetes.