Each November people around America observe Diabetes Awareness Month. This month is a crucial time of awareness, fundraising and education for this disease. This year the American Diabetes Association has made its theme, "This Is Diabetes", a theme focused on real life stories of people who struggle everyday with this disease. This may not seem like a big deal to you, but let me provide you with some stats on why this month is so crucial.

Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S.

Although this disease has killed more people than breast cancer and Aids, it is constantly overlooked. According to diabetes.org and the American Diabetes Association, there are currently 29 million people in the United States who are battling diabetes. Of these 29 million people, eight million were undiagnosed, meaning that 1 in every 11 people will get diagnosed with this disease along with the 86 million people at risk.No, this disease is not always caused by poor diet and obesity, it is a metabolic disease that targets the body's pancreas which causes it to not produce insulin or doesn't respond to the insulin the body has made. If we don't do something to help prevent/treat diabetes the numbers are going to grow considering there are 1.4 million people are diagnosed with disease each year.

If we want to see diabetes cured within our lifetime, it's going to take us all to raise awareness or donate our time and/or money. Consider becoming an advocate to help raise awareness, or joining in on a walk for the cure or a Tour De Cure (bicycling fundraising events) to help gain money and attention. Consider posting something on social media this month with #ThisIsDiabetes to draw some attention, take the Stop Diabetes pledge on the ADA website, or even donating any amount of money is appreciated! To gain some more education or take action, visit http://www.diabetes.org/?loc=logo. Together, we can find a cure!

#ThisIsDiabetes!