Share. Inspire others to join the movement by sharing their personal story. To kick off the movement, Nutrisystem, the developer of Nutrisystem D, and national sponsor of the Stop Diabetes campaign, will donate $5.00 to the American Diabetes Association, up to $100,000 for each individual who shares a story on stopdiabetes through December 31, 2009. Individuals may also join us on Facebook and Twitter to learn about all the ways to be a part of the Stop Diabetes movement and are encouraged to invite family, friends, and co-workers to join this effort as well. Act. The American Diabetes Association provides many ways to get involved with the fight to stop diabetes, including volunteer opportunities, walks and bikes around the country. Learn. The American Diabetes Association has many resources throughout the country to help Stop Diabetes for people who already have diabetes or are at risk for type 2, including lifestyle and motivational information for patients and loved ones. Give. The drive to stop diabetes cannot succeed without individuals dedicating time, effort and funds to support the American Diabetes Association's mission-critical activities in cities and towns across the country.

American Diabetes Month EventsThroughout the month of November, events will be taking place across the country to promote diabetes awareness. To help promote American Diabetes Month and the Stop Diabetes movement, the American Diabetes Association has collaborated Spirit of Women Hospitals, a network of hospitals and healthcare providers across the United States, as well as the Association's Education Recognition Programs to help increase awareness about diabetes and encourage the public to get involved.

A complete list of events happening across the U.S. can be found at www.diabetes/adm.

Stories Already Being SharedThe American Diabetes Association knows that people are likely to take diabetes more seriously when they encounter stories of others who deal with the disease and its consequences on a daily basis. StopDiabetes already features many stories of people who have joined the movement, like:

Kelly of Toledo, Ohio, who six months ago lost her niece, Shelby, to undiagnosed diabetes. A vibrant, quirky, beautiful, active girl celebrating her 14th birthday, Shelby's family thought she had contracted the flu, like other members of her family. By the time she was admitted the hospital a few days later, Shelby's blood sugar level was over 2,000 mg/dl. (The American Diabetes Association recommends a fasting blood glucose of 70-130 mg/dl.) Despite their best efforts, Shelby passed away on March 15, 2009.

Laraine of Tucson, Arizona, lost her son David to type 1 diabetes at the age of 34. He was diagnosed with diabetes before he had even turned a year old. Eventually, his diabetes contributed to a fatal heart attack at a shockingly young age. She wants to find a way to stop this from happening to other parents and children.

Malika of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, struggled with her diagnosis of gestational diabetes throughout two of her pregnancies, including multiple hospitalizations. She later was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. She wants to stop diabetes so that others like her don't have to struggle with managing the disease or worry about the long term health of their own children, like she now does about her children.

Frank of Rockland, Massachusetts, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a year ago; by the time he was diagnosed his fasting blood glucose had reached 350 mg/dl and his A1C was more than 12%. (The American Diabetes Association recommends A1C of less than 7% for most people with diabetes.) With support of his healthcare professionals and his wife, he lost weight, lowered his fasting glucose and A1C into a safe range, bought a Harley Davidson and is loving life.

"We hear stories every day about the tragic toll diabetes takes within every corner of our society," commented McLaughlin. "Stop Diabetes is a wake up call for the nation. Diabetes kills more people than breast cancer and AIDS combined. One in three children born today will develop diabetes if this trend continues. Rather than let these facts scare us into denial and apathy, all Americans need to take a stand to stop diabetes by learning their risks and how they can prevent or manage this serious disease."

SOURCE: American Diabetes Association