Diabetes Research Saving Arkansas Lives

It would be hard to find a family in America who isn't affected by diabetes. Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes, and this number continues to grow. In Arkansas, approximately 215,000 people have diabetes, more than 9 percent of the state's population.

Many members of my family have been impacted by type 1 diabetes and have even lost some due to complications of diabetes. The impacts have enabled our family to be fully committed to research and improved technologies so that life can be better and even type 1 diabetes-free.

To stay alive, a person with type 1 diabetes checks his blood sugar six to eight times, injects insulin several times a day, and constantly monitors his intake and activity. Extremely high or low blood sugar can lead to coma or seizure, and complications like kidney disease and blindness.

Research funded by the Special Diabetes Program is enabling important discoveries like the artificial pancreas, which automatically controls blood sugar so there are fewer worries and complications. In Arkansas, diabetes costs more than $2.3 billion just in 2012; the program is helping to lower these costs and improve the lives of those with diabetes.

I am grateful to the Arkansas delegation, led by Sens. Mark Pryor and John Boozman, for their support for people with diabetes and their families. The Special Diabetes Program needs to be renewed this year so important research can continue improving the lives of people with diabetes and also save our country money in the long run.

Ellen Gaconnier

Bella Vista

Commentary on 04/08/2014

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