Diabetes awareness dog tag

To raise diabetes awareness around the world

This is our first travel bug. We are active in our local community raising money for the American Diabetes Association. Last year, we (Pizzaz and TJAMM) raised over $1,500 for a walk event in our town.

Diabetes is known as the silent killer. This disease has hit a little too close to home and I will continue to do what I can to end this dreaded disease.

A few years ago, the M in TJAMM was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. She is lucky, her diabetes is gone. However, she now has more of a chance to develop it in the next five years.

Every dollar we raise will make a difference in the lives of 23.6 million Americans living with diabetes.

Did you know that 1 in 3 children in the United States faces a future with diabetes?

About Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors appear to play roles. There are 23.6 million Americans living with diabetes, a disease that is outpacing heart disease, cancer and AIDS. Diabetes is a disease that has deadly serious consequences, and there is no cure.

About Gestational Diabetes

Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women - about 135,000 cases of gestational diabetes in the United States each year.

We don't know what causes gestational diabetes, but we have some clues. The placenta supports the baby as it grows. Hormones from the placenta help the baby develop. But these hormones also block the action of the mother's insulin in her body. This problem is called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance makes it hard for the mother's body to use insulin. She may need up to three times as much insulin.

http://www.diabetes.org/gestational-diabetes.jsp