DEAR ABBY: At the age of 2, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I have been involved with the American Diabetes Association since I was 6. As its 2012 National Youth Advocate, I'd like to invite your readers to join me by participating in the 24th Annual American Diabetes Association Alert Day tomorrow, March 27.
Alert Day, held on the fourth Tuesday in March, is a one-day "wake-up call." On that day, the American public is invited to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. It's a serious disease that strikes nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States. Many of them don't know they have it.
Unfortunately, people are often diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes seven to 10 years after it has settled in their system. By then, the major symptoms have already developed and harmed the body, so early diagnosis is critical.
Please urge your readers to "Take it. Share it." Let them know they can protect their health and stop this disease by taking the free risk test. Just answer a few simple questions and share the fact with everyone you care about that there is a test. If they take it, they could be saving lives. -- LOGAN NICOLE GREGORY, 2012 A.D.A. NATIONAL YOUTH ADVOCATE
DEAR LOGAN: Congratulations on your selection as the 2012 National Youth Advocate. Readers, because diabetes is a serious -- but manageable -- condition, and there are simple ways to find out if you could be at risk, please pay attention to Logan's message. Visit the American Diabetes Association Facebook page, go to stopdiabetes.com or call 800-342-2383.