Diabetes Doubles, Cost Triples

Estimates show that in the next 25 years (by 2035) the number of people with diabetes will double and the cost of treating diabetes will triple.

This should clearly show that we have a problem. Action needs to be taken, and soon, to help relieve the care and the cost of Diabetes.

SOURCE: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/26/diabetes.projections/

Pink vs. Red

This past Tuesday was World AIDS Day. There were a few special events to celebrate the day:

• Google, Twitter, and others went (RED)


• People wore red


• Alicia Keys performed a concert on YouTube

But for the most part it was just another day. Harold Pollack, of NPR, says: Are We Bored with AIDS?

Pollack suggests that we are distracted by Tiger Woods, Afghanistan, and other current events. He also cites another "boredom" of AIDS as:

I can understand why AIDS has become boring. We've lived with it for thirty years now. Once a mysterious new and fatal disease, HIV infection is now a treatable, chronic illness, in the wealthy nations at least.

Pollack believes that because we have found a way to treat HIV most people are not as concerned about AIDS as they once were. He finishes the article with a call to action to refocus our attention on AIDS:

Still, it's foolish and disrespectful to the dead to let the day pass unnoticed

I believe the "boredom" of AIDS is not from distractions of current events or the fact that it can be treated. There is still no cure for AIDS. Similarly there is no cure for breast cancer. Far fewer people die today from breast cancer (or AIDS) than 20, or even 10, years ago. Breast Cancer has seen similar improvements to AIDS and people are still supporting the breast cancer cause. Over 2 Million people have watched the video above (as of December 4th).

I think that the people responsible for marketing pink, and the pink ribbon have done an excellent job and truly brought focus and awareness to breast cancer. This could be done for AIDS, Diabetes, or any other disease - we just need someone to step up.

LINKS

• http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121047070

Insulin Coupons & Freebies

I use Apridra as my mealtime insulin. My endocrinologist printed a coupon for me to receive $20 off my Apidra prescription. I was amazed and thankful. A quick Google search returned coupons for many other insulin brands.

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Humalog, Free Pen - http://penvoucher.humalog.com/combined.cfm
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Novolog, $25 rebate - https://www.novolog.com/offer/flexpen/Default.aspx