2. Seek out a diabetes-related event or activity in your area.
Numerous organizations sponsor events such as walkathons, bike rides, support groups, health fairs, and other activities that are aimed at raising public awareness of diabetes, raising money for diabetes research, or offering education and support to people living with diabetes. Not all of these take place during November, but most will have information available on when and how to sign up for future events.
ADA. The American Diabetes Association holds Step Out walkathons and Tour de Cure bike rides to raise money for educational outreach, advocacy efforts, and research. For the walk, participants are encouraged to raise as much money as possible; for the ride, a minimum dollar amount is required to participate. The ADA also puts on free, daylong diabetes Expos — with lectures, demonstrations, and other educational components — at convention centers around the United States each year. Information on all ADA events and contact information for local chapters can be found online or by calling.
www.diabetes.org
(888)-DIABETES (342-2383)
JDRF. JDRF (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International) organizes Walks to Cure Diabetes and Rides to Cure Diabetes (multiday bike rides). For the walks, participants are encouraged to raise as much money as possible; for the rides, a minimum dollar amount is required to participate. The JDRF also supports other types of community fund-raising events organized by individuals. (Anyone may register a community event.)
www.jdrf.org
(888) 533-WALK (for information about walkathons)
(888) 533-9255 (to find your local chapter)
TCOYD. TCOYD, which stands for Taking Control of Your Diabetes, holds a dozen or so daylong educational conferences and health fairs at locations around the United States. The events include lectures, health screenings, informational exhibits, demonstrations of various types, and more for about $30.
http://tcoyd.org
(800) 99-TCOYD (8-2693)
