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Membership - American Diabetes Association - American Diabetes Association diabetes.org |
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is a United States-based association working to fight the deadly consequences of diabetes and to help those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to manage, cure and prevent diabetes (including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and pre-diabetes); delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides information for both patients and health care professionals; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes[1].
[edit] History and missionFormed in 1940, the ADA was founded by 28 physicians[2]. During its first 30 years, the Association limited its membership to physicians, health professionals and corporations. In 1970, the Association underwent a reorganization during which membership was expanded to include general members. Now the ADA is a volunteer-driven organization based in Alexandria, Virginia, with affiliate offices across the United States[3]. The mission of the ADA is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes[1]. To fulfill this mission, the Association funds research, publishes scientific findings, provides information and other services to people with diabetes, their families, health professionals and the public. The Association is also actively involved in advocating for scientific research and for the rights of people with diabetes[1]. The Association acts on its mission through a number of critical programs and activities that are directed to a broad range of constituents, including consumers, research scientists, health care professionals, corporations and communities. In 1994, the Chronicle of Philanthropy, an industry publication, study showed that the American Diabetes Association was ranked as the 18th "most popular charity/non-profit in America from over 100 charities researched with 33.8% of Americans over the age of 12 choosing Love and Like A Lot for the American Diabetes Association .[4] [edit] Fund-raisingThe ADA is the nation's leading 501(c)3 nonprofit charity providing diabetes research, information and advocacy[5]. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people participate in the fund-raising events of the American Diabetes Association[6]. These events are a way for Americans across the country to make a difference in their local community by increasing awareness of diabetes, while at the same time raising millions of dollars in the fight against this disease. [edit] Research[edit] ADA-funded researchThe ADA Research Program supports basic and clinical diabetes research aimed at preventing, treating, and curing diabetes. The diabetes research projects the Association supports cover the spectrum from islet cell biology and transplantation techniques, to studies in education and behavioral issues[7]. The Association has increased support for diabetes research from providing $18 million in 1999 to $42.5 million in 2008[8]. The ADA’s research funding program is designed to complement the National Institutes of Health (NIH) diabetes research program by supporting new investigators and new research ideas[8]. With support from the Association, investigators are often able to prove that their ideas are solid enough to get more substantial funding from the United States federal government[8]. [edit] Research FoundationFounded in October 1994, the ADA Research Foundation (also a 501(c)3 nonprofit) was created to substantially accelerate the Association's ability to raise major gifts to directly fund diabetes research[9]. The mission of the Research Foundation is to ensure the availability of funds necessary for the full exploration of all the scientific possibilities that diabetes research is generating[9]. Donations contributed to the Research Foundation help support more than 406 awards at over 164 research institutions across the country, all working toward a day without diabetes. All non-research costs associated with the Research Program are paid through the Association's general fund[9]. [edit] Scientific sessionsEvery year the ADA hosts the world’s largest scientific and medical diabetes meeting[10]. This meeting, known as Scientific Sessions, brings together clinicians, researchers, scientists and other medical professionals for five days of sessions, oral presentations, poster presentations and exhibits. The 70th Scientific Sessions will be held in Orlando, Fla., on June 25-29, 2010[11]. [edit] Programs and activities[edit] National Call CenterOver the last year, more than 300,000 people contacted the Association with questions and concerns, or to seek support or direction regarding diabetes and its management[12]. The National Call Center is a free service staffed by highly-trained personnel, who answer non-medical questions in English or Spanish. Call Center hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. eastern time, with an automated phone system including basic information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week[12]. In 2009, the Call Center began to use online chat as a new means of communication with people who have questions about diabetes[13]. [edit] Family LinkThe ADA's Family Link provides families to information about living with diabetes and managing diabetes at school, and links them to other families who are also living with diabetes[14]. With message boards, local Family Link events[15], tool kits for families of children newly diagnosed with diabetes, parent-to-parent mentor programs, school initiatives that advocate and train safety at school[16], and a safe online social networking site exclusively for youth with diabetes called Planet D[17], Family Link provides comprehensive support[18]. The American Diabetes Association also provides diabetes camps nationwide and is the largest provider of diabetes camps in the world[19]. [edit] Community initiativesThe ADA offers programs and resources specially designed to target high-risk communities, including African-American, Hispanic and Latino American, Native American, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities[20]. There are also programs for the workplace and in the neighborhood, as well as events and programs that are run by local offices[21]. [edit] Events[edit] Step Out: Walk to Fight DiabetesStep Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes is the ADA's largest fund-raising event. Most walks take place in the fall, with more than 150 walks taking place in over 100 markets around the United States in 2009[22].[23]It raises about $20 million annually.[24] [edit] Tour de CureTour de Cure is a series of fund-raising cycling events held in 40 states nationwide to benefit the ADA[25]. The Tour is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for everyone from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist. In 2009, Tour de Cure events across the nation began to recognize participants who have diabetes by awarding them with red shirts or cycling jerseys to signify that they are Red Riders[26]. [edit] Diabetes EXPODiabetes EXPO is a one-day tradeshow-like exposition for people with diabetes providing an array of diabetes-related products, services and information. In 2009, 21 Diabetes Expos have taken place or are planned in major markets throughout the United States[27]. [edit] School Walk for DiabetesSchool Walk for Diabetes is a K-12 educational school fund-raising program that promotes healthy living, school spirit and community involvement. While raising money for the ADA, students learn about diabetes and the importance of making healthy choices including eating nutritious foods and exercising every day[28]. [edit] BAD RideThe Bikers Against Diabetes (BAD) Ride is a motorcycle fund-raising ride and family festival of the ADA[29]. This event brings bikers together to support the search for a cure for diabetes, with a full day of riding, entertainment, food and many other activities. [edit] Father of the YearSince 1999, the ADA has partnered with the National Father's Day Council to host the Father of the Year Awards dinner. Each year, approximately 80 men from across the nation are recognized for the outstanding strength, commitment and love they exhibit as fathers[30]. [edit] AdvocacyAdvocacy plays an integral role in the Association's efforts to fulfill its mission. Diabetes Advocates around the country work to increase funding to prevent, treat and cure diabetes; to improve access to health care; and to eliminate discrimination against people with diabetes at school, work or elsewhere in their lives[31]. [edit] DiscriminationThe ADA builds networks, hosts workshops, and engages with its volunteers to fight discrimination based on diabetes. This includes discrimination in school, in the workplace, obtaining private and commercial driver's licenses, in public accommodation settings and correctional institutions[32]. [edit] Federal government advocacy and state legislationThe Association’s advocacy efforts span a broad range of issues that may or may not vary depending on geographic location. Advocacy initiatives include – but are not limited to – research funding, health care costs and reform, prevention initiatives and discrimination[33][34]. [edit] Call to CongressThe Association’s Call to Congress is a biennial event. Diabetes advocates from across the United States congregate in Washington, D.C. to meet with their U.S. Representatives and senators and discuss how diabetes affects their lives[35]. At the same time, advocates who are not able to come to Washington, D.C. participate in a call-in campaign directed toward members of Congress[36]. The next Call to Congress will take place on March 23, 2010. [edit] Awareness campaigns[edit] American Diabetes MonthNovember is American Diabetes Month, a time to bring even greater awareness and attention to the seriousness of diabetes, its deadly complications, and the importance of proper diabetes control. Throughout the month, the ADA conducts activities and encourages others across the country to get involved in efforts to raise awareness about diabetes[37]. [edit] American Diabetes Alert DayThe American Diabetes Alert Day is an annual one-day "wake-up" call to inform the American public about the seriousness of diabetes. Observed each year on the fourth Tuesday of March, Alert Day is a time when the ADA encourages people to take the Diabetes Risk Test and find out if they, or their loved ones, are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes[38]. [edit] PublicationsThe ADA works with experts to publish a variety of informational books, magazines and journals for both medical professionals and consumers. [edit] Consumer publications
[edit] Medical professional publications
The ADA also publishes a wide variety of books for medical professionals. [edit] See also
[edit] Notes
[edit] External links | |||||||||||||
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