JDRF Celebrates National Diabetes Awareness Month in West Texas

AMARILLO, Texas - Oct. 28, 2015 - PRLog -- T1Day on November 1 recognizes the 1.25 million American’s and their families and caregivers affected by T1D. JDRF celebrates T1Day as a day to raise awareness of the disease and gather local support. The West Texas Plains Branch is encouraging the Panhandle community to join in the following events to mark NDAM, T1Day and World Diabetes Day on November 14:

·        October 30^th, Kindergarten Kids Diabetes Awareness Event, Hereford

·        November 1^st, T1D Looks Like Me!, T1D Day

·        November 7^th One Walk WTAMU Canyon, TX

·        November 9^th  Kids Walk Kickoff Hillside Elementary

·        November 14^th, World Diabetes Day

·        November 14^th,  Diabetes Dinner & Dance, Happy Community Center, Happy, Texas

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, life-threatening autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults at any age. In T1D (http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/rm-quiz-type1_diabetes), the body's immune system destroys the cells that release insulin (http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/insulin), eventually eliminating insulin production from the body. With the more commonly known type 2 diabetes, the body isn't able to use insulin the right way. This is called insulin resistance (http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/guide/insulin-resistance-syndrome). T1D requires rigorous 24/7 monitoring of blood glucose levels to avoid devastating complications. T1D onset is sudden and unpreventable.

“Life with T1D is complicated and at times seems overwhelming for thousands of our neighbors, young and not so young, so it’s very important to have a strong supportive community around you. JDRF is proud to be a part of the PanhandleT1D community and during National Diabetes Month we are committed to raising awareness and funds in the hope that together we can create a world without T1D,” said Kristy Wilkerson,  JDRF (Branch Director, West Texas Plains).

During NDAM JDRF will launch the nationwide T1D Looks Like Me (http://jdrf.org/T1DLookslikeMe)campaign to spread awareness that T1D continues to grow in the US and it does not discriminate. By 2050, 5 million people are expected to be living with T1D, and this includes a three-fold growth in youth with T1D to nearly 600,000. JDRF is calling for everyone to participate in this campaign by joining a Thunderclap (http://jdrf.org/T1DLookslikeMe) on T1Day, November 1 and dedicate their Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr status or post to spread awareness of T1Day on social media.

To learn more about T1D or to participate in JDRF’s NDAM activities in the Panhandle and West Texas, please visit www.jdrf.org,  call 806-356-6042, or email kwilkerson@jdrf.org.

# # #

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested nearly $2 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers in more than 100 locations throughout the United States and our six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter: @JDRF.

The West Texas Plains Branch serves 43 counties in Northwest Texas.  With over forty active board members, numerous volunteers, and community partners, the Branch provides educational support to schools, clinicians, families, caregivers, and individuals.