The American Diabetes Association - Working to
Improve the Lives of Women
with and at-risk for Diabetes

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the Association conducts programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching hundreds of communities.

The mission of the organization is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by this disease. To fulfill this mission the ADA funds research, publishes scientific findings, provides information and services to people with diabetes, their families, health care professionals and the public, and advocates for scientific research and the rights of people with diabetes. The moving force behind our work is a network of more than one million volunteers, including a membership of over 445,000 diabetes patients and their families, and a professional society of nearly 19,000 researchers and health care providers.

Today, about 21 million Americans, including 9.1 million women, have diabetes. Yet many don't even know they have the disease. Diabetes can be especially hard on women because the disease can affect both mothers and their unborn children. It can cause difficulties during pregnancy such as miscarriage or birth defects. Women with diabetes are also more likely to have a heart attack, and at a younger age, than women without it.

The ADA's Call Center receives approximately 25,000 calls monthly. The staff at the call center is well trained and dedicated to helping people with diabetes, as well as their families and friends, find the answers they need. Information specific to women & diabetes is available through the call center, including Diabetes and Pregnancy, Gestational Diabetes, and A Guide for Women with Diabetes. Information packets are tailored to meet the specific needs of each caller. Bilingual representatives are available as well as Spanish language materials. A diabetes information specialist is available 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. M-F. Requests for diabetes packets are available 24 hours a day.

In the San Antonio ADAoffice, there are a number of opportunities to learn more about the risks and dangers of diabetes as well as educational presentations to support employees of local businesses. Please contact us at 829-1765 for more information on how you can benefit from the American Diabetes Association.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Tobias
Senior Executive Director, South Texas

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