Calling all Health Activists for Recognition!

Since I started blogging, I have been inspired by so many amazing Health Activists.  What is a Heath Activist?  WEGO Health defines them here:

Health Activists are online leaders who work daily to improve the way people talk and think about health – active in multiple communities, passionate about health causes, dedicated to finding the best information, and relentless in their commitment to helping others. They also use every tool possible to lead their communities, especially through social media.

When I learned about this cool upcoming program for recognizing some of them, I knew that you would want to hear about it too!


In December, the online health community and WEGO Health will be celebrating all the awesome achievements made in health leadership and patient advocacy in 2011!  WEGO Health, a different kind of social media company dedicated to empowering Health Activists, has just launched the first-ever Health Activist Awards program, to recognize Health Activists (both new and established) for all of their great work over the course of the year.

You can get involved by nominating your favorite Health Activists by sharing what has inspired you, moved you, and made a difference in the online health community.  I have already nominated some of my favorite Health Activists and I hope you’ll take some time to recognize your favorites too.

There are 10 different awards.  I am sharing them here so that you can start thinking about those who have inspired you in each of these categories.

Rookie of the Year - The Health Activist who came on the scene in 2011 but has inspired the entire community. 

Best in Show - This Health Activist dominates a particular platform and is a great model for taking it to the next level. Nominate!

Paperboy Award - The Health Activist who always brings you the latest and greatest news and research.

Health Activist Hero - Who has changed your life?  Recognize the Health Activist who has made a significant impact on you.

Advocating for Another (Best Parent or Caregiver) - Award the dedication of someone who raises awareness for the condition of someone they love. 

TMI Award (Too Much Information!) - This Health Activist always goes there - no matter how personal or embarassing the story.

Hilarious Health Activist - You swear you're at a comedy show.  This Health Activist brings the funny with the advocacy.

Offline Crusader - This Health Activist did amazing things offline this year.  Tell us about your favorite. 

Best Affirmation Post - Recognize the best single post that explains, outlines, or affirms the Health Activist mission.

Best Kept Secret - Help us find the hidden gem of the Health Activist world - and share them.

You can check out WEGO Health’s Health Activist Awards 2011 homepage  to nominate your favorites, as well as information on how to join the Health Activists Awards Jury to help select the Award winners, and to find out what Health Activists will win if they’re chosen.

Together, let's celebrate the Health Activists that have made the biggest difference 2011.

World Diabetes Day 2011

Today is World Diabetes Day!  We are off to a great start this World Diabetes Day!  Blue fingernail polish -check.  Blue shirt - check.  Blue circle hair accessory - check.   Blue circle blueberries for breakfast - check.  And best of all...Morning blood sugar of 114 - check!

I asked Ally if she'd like to help me write the blog post for World Diabetes Day and she said, "Mom, all I would say is that I'm just a normal girl!"  So, I guess I'm on my own with this one ;)

World Diabetes Day is the day that people all over the world are uniting for diabetes.  November 14 was chosen as the day to raise awareness for diabetes because it is the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting.  Banting, along with his assistant, Charles Best, discovered insulin in 1922. 

Sir Frederick Banting was one of the twentieth century's most celebrated medical heroes. His discovery of insulin, made with his assistant Charles Best and other colleagues, was one of the most important medical breakthroughs of the century. Since its discovery, insulin has saved or transformed the lives of millions of people with diabetes.

(Quoted from Library and Archives Canada)

You see, prior to his discovery of insulin, a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes was a death sentence.

I can't even find the words to justly describe how grateful I am to this man whom I never even met.  It is thanks to him that my daughter is "just a normal girl" - despite diabetes.

Happy Birthday and Thank you to Sir Frederick Banting!

So, why all the blue circles??  The blue circle is the international symbol for diabetes awareness.  You can read about the history of the blue circle here.

If you'd like to help spread awareness of diabetes and don a blue circle...check out www.idf.org/worlddiabetesday.

False Advertising...err...Educating

False Advertising Educating

My sister sent me a text the other day.  She was sitting in a lobby waiting for her son to finish his music lesson.  She couldn't believe the conversation that was going on in an adjacent conference room.  There was a woman addressing a group of people.  My sister's best eavesdropping guestimate was that this woman was holding some sort of training for home health care givers.  And these are quotes that my sister overheard...

"People have diabetes because we've been fed too many fatty, sugary foods over time and it has depleted our insulin stores."

WRONG.

"People are born with type 1 diabetes or develop type 2 later in life." 

 Again.  WRONG...on both accounts.  My sister couldn't believe her ears.  Her next text to me read "I'm about to pop in and correct her!"  But wait, the "training" continues...

"That's why its important to keep those honey buns away from your grandma!"

At this point, I am texting furiously back begging my sister to "pop in AND pop HER!"  I so badly wanted to drive over and do some educating of my own.

I guess, in all fairness, I should say that I don't really blame the people who don't know the facts about type 1 diabetes...or even that there are two kinds.  I really didn't know before Ally's diagnosis.  It's no wonder that there are so many misconceptions about diabetes though, if there are people "training" others who don't even have it straight. 




Diabetes Fact #1:  Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas.

  Diabetes Fact #2:  No one knows exactly what causes type 1 diabetes. However, it IS known that it is NOT caused by poor diet or lack of exercise. Scientists believe that both genetic and environmental factors are involved.

  Diabetes Fact #3:  Type 1 diabetes, sometimes referred to as Juvenile Diabetes, can strike at ANY age.

 Diabetes Fact #4:  Type 1 diabets can occur suddenly and causes a dependence on insulin for life. Until there is a cure.


   Diabetes Fact #5:  To stay alive, people with type 1 diabetes must take multiple insulin injections daily or continually infuse insulin through an insulin pump.

   Diabetes Fact #6:  People with type 1 diabetes must test their blood sugar 6 or more times a day by pricking their fingers. Ally's fingers look dirty - but when you look closer you see tons of tiny holes.

 Diabetes Fact #7:  While trying to balance insulin doses with food intake, daily exercise and activities, people with Type 1 Diabetes must still always be prepared for serious hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) reactions which can be life threatening.

 Diabetes Fact #8:  While insulin injections or infusions allow a person with type 1 diabetes to stay alive, insulin does NOT CURE diabetes.

Diabetes Fact #9:  No matter how diligent a person with type 1 diabetes manages their disease, bad things can still happen. Simply injecting insulin and counting carbohydrates does not necessarily prevent complications.

   Diabetes Fact #10:   Complications of type 1 diabetes include: kidney failure, nerve damage, blindness, amputations, heart attacks, stroke, and pregnancy complications.

  Diabetes Fact #11:  Other factors that affect a person's ability to tightly control their diabetes include: stress, hormonal changes, periods of growth, physical activity, medications, illness, infections, and fatigue.