Diabetes Viewpoints

Diabetes Organizations Need Your Help
What you can do in these tough times

By Tom Karlya

We, as a nation, and a planet, are facing the toughest economic times in decades. We’ve heard it. We’ve read about it. And now, unfortunately, many of us have felt it as well. The phrase ‘bail out’ no longer refers to a jail house, but something else entirely.

If you are building a stadium in New York, the City will bail you out because you don’t have enough funds to finish your glamorous stadium. The irony is that the same teams screaming for money are the same teams that paid almost a half-billion dollars for 3 players in over the last few weeks. The companies pleading for a bailout have been reported holding elaborate “meetings” in resort destinations. It’s all just a bit confusing, isn’t it?

What’s right? Who’s wrong? Will it last? There’s just no more money. We’re broke. We’re in trouble.

Some folks state the truth when they say there is no money. It may hurt you and me more than we expect. There are organizations that are crucial to you and me that don’t have the “luxury” of a bailout. And in most cases, it’s not their fault.

I’m talking about the diabetes organizations, of course. Some are cutting grants , receiving less money, and even laying off staff. I don’t have to tell you that this is not good. Many of these diabetes organizations, and heaven knows I’ve had my say about some of them, are in trouble. If they are’re in trouble, so is your child or loved one with diabetes. If these diabetes organizations do not have the money to continue funding research, we will all suffer dearly.

I do not care who you believe in: The Diabetes Research Institute; The ADA, The JDRF, The Diabetes Education and Camping Association, The Barbara Davis Center, Joslin, The Diabetes Scholars Foundation, or any organization in between; please listen to me like you never have before.

Those who have, or had, the incredible capacity to write a large check has dwindled to the lowest point in years. Even a little bit can help make a difference. Now more than ever it will be the grass-roots efforts of a whole bunch of little bits making up a lot. Get involved by doing something on your own. Instead of one person writing that big check, many people can write little checks.

The year was 1938 when polio was crippling the nation. Then -President Franklin Delano Roosevelt wanted to obtain the money needed for Dr. Jonas Salk to complete his work. The President started with a simple idea: a march to collect money. Not lots of money, in fact, just ten cents per American. A march. A march of dimes. We all know how that story ended.

And now it’s our time to pick up the idea of doing something to help raise money for diabetes. Now, more than ever, research is taking a direct hit. DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN. Not sure how to start? Not sure how to start; contact me at tom@dlife.com. I have been fortunate enough to have been involved with raising tens of millions of dollars over the years and I have a few ideas left.

Do not “do nothing.” Do something today. It’s too important. The diabetes organizations need our help. If you need help, reach out! Let’s get to work - now! I’m a Diabetes Dad.

Disclaimer
dLife's Daily Living columnists are not all medical experts, but everyday people living with diabetes and sharing their personal experiences. While their method of diabetes management may work for them, everyone is different. Please consult with your diabetes care team to find out what will work best for you.