Speaking Out and Speaking Up

A week or so has passed since the Oprah debacle. Have no idea what I'm talking about? What Oprah debacle?

Here's the gist: Oprah dedicated an episode of her show to diabetes. She dubbed the disease "America's silent killer" and, along with her medical expert Dr. Mehmet Oz, primarily discussed type 2 diabetes.

Now, before I go any further, I have to tell you that I did not watch the diabetes episode. But it caused such an uproar in the online type one diabetes community and I've read so much about it that I feel familiar enough to talk about it here and speak out against Oprah and Dr. Oz.

From what I gathered, they didn't spend enough time differentiating between type 1 and type 2. They led viewers to believe that all types of diabetes are the same disease, that diabetes is the result of poor lifestyle habits, that diabetes can be prevented and that diabetes can be reversed or controlled with diet and exercise.

While all that might be true for type 2, it's far from the truth for type 1. The adults and kids like Jack, who have type 1, have an autoimmune disorder. Their disease is NOT the result of poor habits. Their disease could NOT be prevented nor can it be reversed. They can not control their diabetes through diet and exercise alone.

So many people think that the difference between type 1 and type 2 is the age of onset, because type 1 is also known as juvenile diabetes. So people believe that it's the same disease, but you have type 1, if you're diagnosed in childhood, and you have type 2, if you're diagnosed in adulthood. Not true! 

Types 1 and 2 are different diseases. But Oprah and Dr. Oz didn't explain that sufficiently, and in their attempt to help viewers, they actually hurt the type 1 community with their misinformation and lack of information.

In the wake of this Oprah debacle, I've found myself feeling even better about Kickin' and Crankin' for Kids and a Cure. (I announced Kickin' and Crankin' here.)

Of course, from the get-go I've been excited about this campaign. After all, its goal is to help Jack's Pack raise $75,000 for JDRF.

While the fundraising aspect is tremendous, the community service aspect is just as fabulous. As Coach Alex bikes across the country, she'll stop in numerous towns and cities, where she will raise awareness about type 1. (She will also teach Soccersize--soccer + exercise--and promote overal health and fitness to families.) Before, during and after her route, she will be featured in newspaper articles and magazine stories as well as on television and radio shows, talking about type 1 and the Kickin' and Crankin' project.

Coah Alex happens to be an EMT, and she's helped us care for Jack, so she knows about type 1. Nonethelss, before she heads out onto the road, Gregg and I will educate her further. She will also learn from other sources. We'll arm her with literature, too.

I feel as though, with Coach Alex, we will make a difference.  We will effect change. We will educate, inform and dispell myths. We will let people know what the disease is and what it isn't. We'll publicize the warning signs. We'll make it known that type 1 and type 2 are not one and same. In the process, we'll help adults and kids like Jack. The more people know about type 1, the better.

I realize that not everyone has a Coach Alex, who will garner national attention and reach oodles of people. But we all have a voice and we all have an audience, and even if that audience is small, we can still make a big impact. Over the long haul, if we keep educating, then maybe:

• more people will be inclined to donate to JDRF (and other worthy diabetes-related, charitable organizations)
• more money will be directed toward research into the causes, treatments and cure
• more lives will be spared because the disease's warning signs will be known and detected
• more doctors will test undiagnosed patients' blood sugar levels instead of passing off symptoms as those of the flu
• more people with type 1 won't be subjected to others thinking their disease could have been prevented, is the result of their poor habits or can be reversed or controlled with diet and exercise... 

If you are affected by type 1 diabetes, I urge you to speak up. Share your story. Talk openly and frequently about type 1. Together, we can make a difference.
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That being said, I want to move on and talk briefly about the kick-off event for Kickin' and Crankin' for Kids and Cure, which will take place this Saturday, February 13th at the grand opening of Sunday Cycles in Phoenix.

Sunday Cycles is a brand-new bike shop and one of Coach Alex's sponsors. Their grand opening celebration will be a fun-filled day with giveaways, raffles, door-buster specials, free hot dogs, live music, face painting, balloons and bike demos. Plus, bike companies and accessory vendors will be on hand to sample and show off the latest gear. All of you cycling enthusiasts won’t want to miss this event!

There will also be a United Blood Services Blood Drive.

While the grand opening will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, we plan to arrive at Sunday Cycles for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and Kickin’ and Crankin’ kick-off at 10:30 a.m.

Please join us! Stop by, say “hi,” eat, play, donate blood and take advantage of freebies and huge one-day savings.

Here’s the info:
  Sunday Cycles
  3321 E. Bell Rd., Ste. B 3, Phoenix
  Southeast Corner of 32nd St. and Bell Rd.
  (480) 440-2142
  http://www.sundayproshop.com/

After Sunday Cycles, head on over to Tasti D-Lite for more fun and free dessert! (See my previous post for more information.)