Who Are We?
We are a collective of individuals and organizations that offer expertise, resources, and support to those touched by diabetes. We believe that connecting with others living with and caring for diabetes, and providing emotional and anecdotal support, goes hand-in-hand with the support of a healthcare provider. Learn more about Diabetes Advocates.
What Do We Do for the Diabetes Community?
We help people who have diabetes and their loved ones realize that they are not alone. We help the diabetes community by sharing our personal experiences, spreading the word about diabetes news and treatment options, and helping to inspire a dialog between a diabetes patient and their medical team. We accomplish this through diabetes blogs, diabetes social communities, videos, radio shows, books, newsletters, and live events.
In 2011, the Diabetes Advocates collective will reach more than 6,000,000 people touched by diabetes.
Featured Advocate
Diabetes Sisters
Brandy Barnes of Diabetes Sisters Type 1 Diabetes, 1990 "We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and quality of life of women with and at risk of developing Diabetes." Diabetes Sisters Brandy Barnes, MSW is the Founder/CEO of Diabetes Sisters. She was … Learn More...
Diabetes Advocates Offer Assistance in Accurate Reporting in the Media
Did you know there are more than five different types of diabetes? If your knowledge of diabetes is defined by what you hear and see on the news or in movies then you probably don’t. Diabetes Advocates, a nonprofit program made up of influential members of the diabetes community has launched a media outreach campaign, designed to assist the media on all things diabetes.
Kelly Kunik, a member of Diabetes Advocates, stated: “Today is Diabetes Alert Day in the US and we are trying to stress to all media sources that more due diligence is required on everyone’s part when reporting on diabetes. We want to help all sources ‘get it right’ but also stress the importance of explaining the differences among ‘all things’ diabetes.”
Despite the fact that media outlets are reporting on diabetes more than ever, the condition is still widely misrepresented and portrayed as only one disease, when in actuality, diabetes is made up of several different diseases (type 1, type 1.5 LADA, and type 2 being the most predominantly confused). By emailing the organization at media AT diabetesadvocates.org, reporters can quickly fact check, get suggestions and have a real-time conversation with the Diabetes Advocates to ensure the accuracy of their articles. The Diabetes Advocates can also serve as sources for reporters.
With representation from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and Actor’s Equity (AEA) within the organization, the Diabetes Advocates can also serve as information sources to entertainment outlets. Entertainment outlets looking for information on diabetes can email the group as well.
“Our goal is to stop being reactive and start being proactive,” said Kunik. “When a story with incorrect information is published, the damage is done. By making ourselves available to media and entertainment outlets, we are seeking to be part of a solution.”
ABOUT DIABETES ADVOCATES
Diabetes Advocates is a not-for-profit program run by the Diabetes Hands Foundation. The program combines the resources of its members to do activities to better educate the public about all aspects concerning diabetes.
For more details, visit: www.diabetesadvocates.org or contact Kelly Kunik.
