Artwork: Dancing fruits and vegetables
We invite blurbs and tidbit articles for inclusion in this column. Materials received may be edited and used as space permits. Products and services included in this column are for information only and do not imply endorsement by the Diabetes Action Network of the NFB.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
To all of you who responded to our recent donations drive, an enormous THANK YOU! It costs more than $300,000 per year to publish VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, the principal communication tool of our Diabetes Action Network. Through the generosity of the National Federation of the Blind, we offer subscriptions without charge; but our advertising income covers only a portion of production costs, so we depend on YOU, our readers, to help us keep on carrying our message to more diabetics, family members, health professionals, and individuals with an interest in the condition. As our circulation has now grown beyond 286,000, our need for your assistance grows more acute. Twice a year we send out requests for donations. To those of you who responded--Thank You again!
RESEARCH STUDY
Physicians with Southeastern Clinical Research are seeking individuals with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) and anemia (low number of red blood cells, for possible participation in a research study (these individuals must not be receiving dialysis therapy). Individuals who have both these conditions together will experience frequent fatigue and weakness. The clinical trial will determine whether an investigational medication improves the quality of life for study participants. All study-related care will be provided at no charge, including physical exams, lab tests, and the study medication. Financial compensation is also provided to those who take part. For information, contact: Southeastern Clinical Research; telephone: (423) 778-6947.
DIABETES VACCINE?
Last September, the journal NATURE MEDICINE reported that researchers from Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, believed they were on target to eventually develop a vaccine against type 1 diabetes. Dr. Susan Wong and her colleagues at Yale think they have identified the cause of type 1, and that they have found an antigen, a substance that stimulates autoimmune response against insulin-producing pancreatic cells. Although so far this reaction has only been studied in specially-bred type 1 diabetic mice, the researchers believe they can recover sufficient information pertinent to human type 1 diabetes to enable formulation of a diabetes vaccine "possibly within a decade."
FLU SHOTS
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reminds people with diabetes to get their flu shot! Influenza and its complications kill an average of over 25,000 Americans each year, and diabetics are three times more likely to die from these infections. We encourage you to use this ounce of prevention this winter. Take action, and stay well!
TAX HELP
For assistance with completing your year 2000 tax forms, you can telephone the Internal Revenue Service, toll-free: 1-800-829-1040; website: www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/forms_pubs
WEB SEARCH ENGINE
By its own reckoning, the U.S. Government maintains 27 million different web pages! It can be a full-time job just finding the official information you need but now the U.S. Government has its own search engine: www.FirstGov.gov
PAIN MEDICATIONS AND DIABETES
If you have diabetes, what about those "over-the- counter" pain medications: aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and other "NSAIDs"? Are they safe?
It turns out they are "safe," in that they don't affect your blood sugars either way, but there are other considerations. First, if you have any degree of kidney failure, from your diabetes or otherwise, the action of these medications will be altered. Talk to your doctor before using them.
Second, if you are taking any of the sulfonylureas, common oral diabetes medications, these NSAIDs interfere with their action, possibly causing a hypo. Be careful!
NEW WEBSITE
Eli Lilly and Company now sponsors the website: www.lillydiabetes.com
Significant features of this site include the "tracking tools," graphs and charts to help the diabetic chart HbA1c test results, Blood pressure test results, and a "height and weight index" to help with calculation of body mass index, a ratio widely used to help determine ideal weight.
The site also includes product information, test results and success stories, as well as news releases about Lilly's many fund-raising activities. Check it out!
HEAR YE, HEAR YE, A RAFFLE
The Diabetes Action Network of the National Federation of the Blind reaches out and provides support and information to thousands of people. Because it costs to operate this valuable network and to produce the VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, we must generate funds to help cover these expenses. Our Diabetes Action Network has elected to hold a raffle, which will be coordinated by our division treasurer, Bruce Peters.
THE GRAND PRIZE WILL BE $500! The winning ticket will be drawn, and the winner's name announced, on July 6, 2001, at the banquet held during the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind.
Raffle tickets cost $1 each, or a book of six may be purchased for $5. Tickets may be purchased from state representatives of our Diabetes Action Network or by contacting the VOICE Editorial Office, 1412 I-70 Drive SW, Suite C, Columbia, MO 65203; telephone: (573) 875-8911. Anyone interested in selling tickets should also contact the VOICE Editorial Office. Tickets are available now! Names of persons who sell 50 tickets or more will be announced in the VOICE.
Please make checks payable to the National Federation of the Blind. Money and sold raffle ticket stubs must be mailed to the VOICE office no later than June 10, 2001, or they can be personally delivered to Raffle Chairman Bruce Peters, at this year's NFB convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This raffle is open to anyone age 18 or older, and the holder of the lucky raffle ticket need not be present to win. Each ticket sold is a donation, helping keep our Diabetes Action Network moving forward.
NFB SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Photo: portrait. Caption: Peggy Elliott
The National Federation of the Blind will award $125,000 in scholarships this year. Individual scholarship amounts range from $3,000 to $10,000, and the competition is open to any legally-blind individual who will be a full-time, post-secondary student in Fall 2001.
All 30 scholarships are merit-based, and most are unrestricted. Entries will be judged on the criteria of academic excellence, financial need, and service to the community. The committee making the award decisions will be composed of blind citizens with distinguished academic and community backgrounds from across the country.
The scholarship winners will be presented their awards in July, at the 2001 convention of the National Federation of the Blind, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The NFB will also pay all expenses of scholarship winners to attend the convention.
The National Federation of the Blind is an organization dedicated to creating opportunity for all blind persons. With more than 50,000 members, it is the largest organization of blind citizens in existence, and it awards more scholarships to the blind than does any other group or organization. Recipients of Federation scholarships do not have to be members of the NFB.
Applications for the 2001 NFB Scholarship program must be received by March 31, 2001. Scholarship winners will be notified by June 1. We receive approximately 500 scholarship applications each year, so don't delay! Anyone interested may request as many application forms as needed from:
BOARD MEMBERS
The Diabetes Action Network of the National Federation of the Blind.
HERBAL CAUTION
Herbal medications and "botanicals" are as powerful as many prescription medications, cautions the American Optometric Association, and they can have serious side effects. Although these medications may be "natural," they are not harmless.
Herbs reported as (or suspected of) causing ocular problems include Black Cohash, Ginseng, Bilberry, Kava Kava, St. John's Wort, and a combination, marketed to "fight cellulite," containing Gingko Bilboa, Grapeseed Extract, Sweet Clover and Iodine.
Many herbals are harmless; some are probably beneficial. What is important is to remember they are medicines, and thus need to be reported to the doctor. Certain medicines interact with other medicines, and can have unpredictable side effects. It is vital your doctor know all the medicines you are taking -- including the ones you bought at the health food store.
VOICE OF THE DIABETIC is offered in two formats: standard print, and 15/16 ips audiocassette, "talking book" speed. Anyone who is currently receiving the VOICE in print and having difficulty reading it, may receive it on cassette at no charge. VOICE tapes require the special tape player available free to the legally blind from Regional Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, which can be obtained by telephoning the National Library Service at: 1-800-424-8567. Note: Attempting to play VOICE tapes (or any other tapes in NLS format) on a conventional music-speed tape player will yield incomprehensible "chipmunk sounds."
Periodically, we receive requests for the VOICE in Braille or large print. It is not available in either of those formats at this time.
All a subscriber needs to do, to switch from standard print to tape, or to receive both formats, free of charge, is contact us at the VOICE OF THE DIABETIC Editorial Office.
ARTICLES NEEDED
If you have diabetes, are a family member or friend of a diabetic, or a health professional with an interest in diabetes, we invite you to submit an article for publication in the VOICE OF THE DIABETIC.
Our philosophy regarding diabetes is positive. Do you have an inspiring, enlightening story? We, the Diabetes Action Network of the National Federation of the Blind, seek to show people they are not alone, and do have options, regardless of diabetic complications. If you have experienced ramifications, others, who may be facing the same side-effects, could benefit from what you have to say.
Perhaps you have not experienced complications--your unique insight, coping strategies, and lifestyle can still inspire others. Are you a relative, a friend, or a health professional? More than 290,315 VOICE readers could benefit from your story.
For information and article submission guidelines, contact: VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, 811 Cherry Street, Suite 309, Columbia, MO 65201; telephone: (573) 875-8911.
VOICE DISTRIBUTORS NEEDED
Since the VOICE is now offered free, our Diabetes Action Network will provide extra copies to anyone wanting to help spread the word. We will gladly send from five to five hundred-plus copies each quarter to be used as free literature. Medical facilities can order as needed for patients. Individuals can usually place copies of the VOICE in libraries, pharmacies, hospitals, doctors' offices, or other public locations.
Diabetes education is essential. Anyone who distributes the VOICE will be helping people with diabetes, and their families, to learn about the disease and its ramifications; to learn that they have options; and that their world is far greater than whatever "limits" may be imposed by the disease. If you would like to help spread the word by distributing the publication, please contact: Voice of the Diabetic, 811 Cherry Street, Suite 309, Columbia, MO 65201; telephone: (573) 875-8911, fax: (573) 875-8902. NOTE: Please provide a phone number so we can reach you.
END of VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, Volume 16, Number 1, Winter 2001 Edition
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