Below is a list of organizations and charities
related to diabetes research and information.
Click on any of the listings below for descriptive
information about the organization as well as links to each
of their websites.
U.S. National and Regional resources:
The
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
is far and away the leading organization concerned with
diabetes and its huge Web site reflects that position. You
can learn about the association, become a member, find the
closest ADA office to you, read the contents and selected
full text articles from Diabetes Forecast, learn about the
latest research projects and download fact sheets on all
aspects of diabetes. Click
here for the ADA website
Diabetics
International Foundation
You can take an interactive Diabetes Risk Test -by
David Groves , founder of the CompuServe Diabetes Forum.
The main objective is to disseminate information on diabetes
and to stimulate interest in finding a cure.
The
Jewish Diabetes Association in Brooklyn has developed
a Web site. The excecutive director is Nechama Cohen.
Islet
Trials Referral and Update Service
from the Insulin-Free World Foundation helps physicians
and patients keep track of information emerging from islet
trials around the world.
The
AIDA Diabetes Simulation Organization is a not-for-profit
non-commercial team specializing in the development of applications
for modeling and simulating the effects of lifestyle changes
(insulin/diet/exercise, etc.) on blood glucose levels. They
maintain an opt-in mailing list for people who wish to be
informed by e-mail about updates to their range of programs
(AIDA for DOS, "AIDA on-line," and "AIDA
for Windows" [to be released]).
Diabetics
Anonymous in Sunnyvale, California, is a twelve step
spiritual program based on Alcoholics Anonymous World but
not affiliated with it
The
Diabetes Center of Oklahoma offers evaluation, education,
and counseling for people throughout the state with type
1 and type 2 diabetes and their families.
The
Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust formed in the
UK in 1994 as a result of the experiences of the adverse
effects that some people suffered when using synthetic "human"
insulin. These effects had been raised by people with diabetes
and their families since the mid-1980’s but those
people were not listened to and nor were their problems
truly addressed and many were refused their right to return
to the animal insulin that suited them better. The site
also includes many articles of general interest to people
with diabetes.
The
Diabetes Research Institute Foundation solely supports
the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami,
a recognized world-leader in cure-focused research. Created
in 1971 by a group of parents of children with diabetes,
the funding received from the Foundation has allowed DRI
scientists to maintain their mission while jump-starting
promising ideas.
The
National Diabetes Center
is a patient advocacy group for physicians.
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The
American Academy of Periodontology is a 7,000-member
organization of dentists specializing in the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of tissues surrounding the teeth
and in the placement of dental implants. Use the "site
search" option on the organization's home page to find
several articles about diabetes, which increases the risk
of severe periodontal disease. Periodontal (gum) diseases
are serious bacterial infections that destroy the attachment
fibers and supporting bone that hold your teeth in your
mouth. Left untreated, these diseases can lead to tooth
loss. The organization offers a free brochure, Diabetes
and Gum Disease by calling 1-800-FLOSS-EM or e-mailing dentalhelp@perio.org.
The
Center for Specialized Diabetes Foot Services of Mississippi
has information about foot care.
The
National Diabetes Alliance consists of 10 regions, including
the Diabetes Foundation of Rhode Island, the Diabetes Foundation
of Mississippi, and the Louisiana Diabetes Foundation.
The
Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi in Jackson, Mississippi,
provides programs, services, and research to Mississippians
affected by diabetes. The toll free phone number is (877)
336-2873
The
Louisiana Diabetes Foundation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana,
consists of 10 chapters. The phone number is (225) 927-0317.
The
Diabetes Initiative of South Carolina in Charleston,
South Carolina, is developing and implementing a comprehensive
statewide plan of community outreach programs, health professional
education, and diabetes surveillance. The phone number is
(843) 876-0968.
The
Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation provides free
medical alert ID necklaces and diabetes self-management
diaries and educational literature upon request and publishes
the Diabetes Wellness Letter. The address is 1206 Potomac
St. N.W., Washington, DC 20007. The helpline phone number
is (800) 941-4635; the subscription line is (888) 321-2219,
and the office is (202) 298-9211.
The
Whittier Institute for Diabetes in La Jolla, California,
is the diabetes research and patient care arm of Scripps
Health, one of the major hospital groups in San Diego County,
California. Since 1994, The Whittier Institute has operated
a joint program with the University of California, San Diego.
The UCSD/Whittier Diabetic Prevention Program is looking
for volunteers age 25 and older who have impaired glucose
tolerance. About 20 percent will be 65 and older and more
than half will be from minority groups at high risk for
developing diabetes.
Sansum
Medical Research Institute, a research center in Santa
Barbara, California, devoted to the prevention, treatment,
and cure of diabetes, explains its research, history, and
current projects on its new Web site. Of particular interest
is information about the Santa Barbara Diabetes Project,
a worldwide collaboration to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.
The
Philadelphia-based Diabetes Education and Research Center
is a non-profit organization dedicated to the improved health
of people with diabetes. The center provides training and
education to people with diabetes, their families, and caregivers,
conducts research, and is involved in local and national
diabetes forums. The site includes a chat area and tips
for managing your diabetes.
The
Endocrine Society, based in Bethesda, Maryland, is comprised
of more than 8,500 scientists and physicians in 72 countries.
The phone number is (301) 941-0200. An especially useful
part of the society's site is its pages about "Eye
On Washington: Legislative & Regulatory Update."
The society publishes four scientific journals (The Journal
of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Endocrinology,
Molecular Endocrinology and Endocrine Reviews), that may
be accessed on-line by its members.
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The
Charles Ray III Diabetes Foundation will encourage people
with diabetes to carefully monitor their diabetes by providing
glucose meters to those unable to afford the cost. The following
companies have made a commitment to provide glucose meters
to the foundation (when available): Roche Diagnostics (Accu-Chek),
LifeScan Inc. (Profile), MediSense Inc. (ExacTech), and
Bayer (Glucometer Elite).
Amputation
Prevention Global Resource Center is a collaborative
effort between Boehringer Mannheim and Eli Lilly and Company.
It includes some simple foot care tips that people with
diabetes can use to reduce their chances of having foot
problems like sores, cuts, and bruises that may lead to
amputation. At least half of the amputations performed every
year are due to complications of diabetes. And, nearly every
one of those is preventable.
The
Michigan Diabetes Outreach Network includes six regional
outreach networks located throughout the state. Its web
site focuses on diabetes information for health care professionals.
In addition, it has a calendar of events describing functions
for people with diabetes and educational opportunities for
health care professionals in Michigan.
Taking
Control of Your Diabetes
is a non-profit educational and motivational conference
and health fair held in various cities around the United
States. Steven V. Edelman, M.D., who himself has diabetes,
leads the organization.
Type
One Diabetes Assistance & Enlightenment Inc. (TODAE)
is a nonprofit organization in New Britain, Connecticut,
dedicated to helping individuals and families living with
diabetes. Led by Greg Falla <mailto:gfalla@todae.org>
, the site also has some heartwarming personal stories about
living with diabetes.
The
National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators
in Arlington Heights, Illinois, is the organization responsible
for certifying Certified Diabetes Educators.
Diabetes
Care and Education, a site of the Dietetic Practice
Group of The American Diabetic Association, has news and
announcements.
The
Aoki Diabetes Research Institute in Sacramento, California,
is a non-profit organization founded in 1986 by Thomas T.
Aoki, M.D., to further research efforts in the areas of
diabetes and metabolism. ADRI is affiliated with the University
of California, Davis, Medical School. The institute's e-mail
address is saoki@adri.org
the
"Joslin Diabetes Center" is affiliated with
Harvard Medical School. Joslin is an international leader
in diabetes research, treatment, and patient and professional
education established in 1898 in Boston, Massachusetts.
The site includes threaded discussion groups moderated by
a clinical social worker and diabetes educator at the Joslin
Diabetes Center, a site search engine, a "Beginner's
Guide" for individuals new to diabetes, recent diabetes
news, a more extensive and user-friendly diabetes library,
information on the center, its programs, and its nationwide
affiliates, as well as Joslin summer camps for children,
job opportunities, and volunteer and research volunteer
opportunities at Joslin.
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The
Diabetics Division of the National Federation of the Blind
is a support and information network for all people with
diabetes, especially those who are blind or losing vision.
Diabetes
Exercise and Sports Association is headquartered in
Phoenix, Arizona, and provides education for people with
diabetes regarding the benefits and risks of exercise.
AADEnet
is the official site of the American Association of Diabetes
Educators, headquartered in Chicago. The site includes
a directory of the organization's 10,000 members, on-line
conferences, and legislative updates, including the especially
valuable "Directory of Legislation and Statutes For
Coverage of Diabetes Self-Management Education by Health
Insurance." This directory by state shows the status
of mandated insurance coverage for diabetes education, equipment.
and supplies.
AACE
On-Line is the Web site of the American Association
of Clinical Endocrinologists. Here you can find the AACE's
guidelines for the management of diabetes.
The
Federation of European Nurses in Diabetes (FEND) intends
to develop and promote the professional status of the diabetes
nurse throughout Europe. It also aims to influence European
health care policy relevant to diabetes care and research,
and to promote acceptable standards and equity of care for
people with diabetes throughout Europe.
Diabetes
Association of Greater Cleveland . The special events
section is especially useful for people with diabetes in
Northeast Ohio.
The
National Diabetes Education Initiative (NDEI)
Web site for healthcare professionals is an online resource
for medical education programs on type 2 diabetes and insulin
resistance. The site's features include "News Watch
and Literature Alert," which provides information about
the most recent diabetes research and news (updated every
2 weeks); "Sightings," which points out interesting
features from other web sites (updated every 3 weeks); "Diabetes
Data," which features slides and lectures from the
NDEI collection (updated every month); and "Events,"
which lists all NDEI related and major international meetings
(updated weekly).
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The
Insulin-Free World Foundation in St. Louis, Missouri,
is devoted to helping people to find ways-not to manage,
not to live with-but to overcome diabetes. Pancreas transplantation
is already an alternative to insulin shots for more than
1,000 people each year, and early clinical trials with islet
transplantation offer the hope of an even safer cure. Yet
problems remain, mainly an insufficient supply of human
islets and the need to eliminate side effects of immunosuppression
drugs. The Insulin-Free World Foundation's Web site, "Insulin-Free
On-Line" has tons of information about these exciting
developments. The Insulin-Free World Foundation is a non-profit
charitable organization headed by Executive Director Deb
Butterfield, who herself has had two kidney/pancreas transplants.
"Diabetes
Trust Fund Inc." in Birmingham, Alabama, is a nonprofit
health organization dedicated to the prevention and/or cure
of diabetes.
"DIABETIC
H.E.L.P." is a new organization with a mission
to create a nationwide network of diabetic support groups.
This network is being formed from new and existing community
based support groups with the ultimate goal of helping companies
fund research to find a cure for diabetes.
The
Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus Foundation is about a
disease that is different from diabetes mellitus, but is
often confused with it. That's why it's listed here. Nephrogenic
diabetes insipidus is a condition in which the urine is
not concentrated. This is caused by the kidneys' failure
to respond to antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Produced by the
pituitary gland, ADH is the messenger which tells the kidneys
to keep a certain amount of water in the body before eliminating
the remainder as urine. In an NDI patient, the kidneys do
not react to the request to process some water for the body's
needs and, instead, constantly route most water out as urine.
The
Diabetes Insipidus Foundation Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland,
is about the four different types of diabetes insipidus-is
a different type of diabetes. The four types are Neurogenic,
also known as central, hypothalamic, pituitary or neurohypophyseal
is caused by a deficiency of the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin;
Nephrogenic, also known as vasopressin-resistant is caused
by insensitivity of the kidneys to the effect of the antidiuretic
hormone vasopressin; Gestagenic, also known as gestational
is also caused by a deficiency of the antidiuretic hormone
vasopressin that occurs only during pregnancy; and Dipsogenic,
a form of primary polydipsia is caused by abnormal thirst
and the excessive intake of water or other liquids.
The
Diabetes Society of Santa Clara Valley (the San Jose
area of California) is an especially good local Web site
for people with diabetes. I particularly like the page about
camps.
The
Diabetes Institutes Foundation supports the research,
clinical care, and education programs of the Leonard R.
Strelitz Diabetes Institutes at Eastern Virginia Medical
School in Norfolk, Virginia. The institutes search for a
cure to diabetes through islet cell regeneration and in
the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. Dr. Aaron I. Vinik,
a leading diabetes researcher, is the director of the Diabetes
Research Institute.
The
Korean Diabetes Association, under the direction of
President Soon-Hyun Shinn, M. D., invites delegates and
members to support its application to host the 2006 Congress
of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).
Sugar
Free Racing is the official site of the Diabetes Home
Care-sponsored Sugar Free Racing Team. The site's Webmaster
is Barry Buchan <mailto:teststrips@diabeteshomecare.com>
, a member of his father's Sports Car Club of America (SCCA)
race team.
The
Diabetic Retinopathy Foundation is a not-for-profit
organization that supports research and public awareness
on one of the world's major causes of blindness-diabetic
retinopathy. Located in Chicago, the foundation seeks to
educate the public about the causes of diabetic retinopathy.
The information about the disease on its Web site helps
to achieve that goal.
The
Diabetes Angel Network a non-profit organization helping
people with diabetes manage their diabetes by giving them
practical help, including supplies and other diabetes management
items and tools.
