Addressing the needs of so many can be intimidating, but the American Diabetes Association has one of the most thorough, comprehensive websites for information about this disease on the Web. The American Diabetes Association is one of the most important and valuable sources of information about diabetes in the world.

The American Diabetes Association provides information on pre-diabetic symptoms, and risk tests. They offer education in preventing and delaying the onset of diabetes as well as information about the various forms of the disease.

Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association is a non-profit organization created to serve the needs of a growing number of the American population diagnosed with one of several types of diabetes. Today, the American Diabetes Association has a presence in every state in the Union, and is available as a valuable resource at both state and local levels for those diagnosed with the disease or their family members.

As a major source of information and support, the American Diabetes Association fields hundreds of thousands of telephone calls every year from concerned families and health care professionals needing information or support on the treatment or care of diabetes. The American Diabetes Association funds and holds the America's Walk for Diabetes, the Tour de Cure, the Diabetes EXPO and the School Walk for Diabetes, among others. Check out their website for information on these events and others.

The American Diabetes Association also maintains an online bookstore that offers books ranging from dietary cookbook titles to weight loss, exercise and weight maintenance programs, in addition to some foods and gifts. They offer a virtual grocery store and offer guidelines on how to read food labels to advice on eating out. The entire website is extremely user-friendly and well organized, providing ample and well written information of a wide variety of topics. Text is available in Spanish as well.

The American Diabetes Association welcomes volunteers to help provide support on community levels and for local fund-raising events nationwide. Corporate sponsors also donate vast amounts of money and manpower to help fight diabetes, as do celebrities and celebrity endorsements. Such methods gain publicity and heighten awareness for the disease, its symptoms and treatments. The American Diabetes Association offers information on how to donate time, money, and vehicles, or sponsor a diabetes project in your community.

The American Diabetes Association operates a National Call Center for those needing advice or direction to sources for information. It can be reached by dialing 1-800-DIABETES or by visiting their website. With thousands of Americans being diagnosed with diabetes every year, sources of information and support like the American Diabetes Association are vitally important.

At a certain point in time, people come to realize that their lives can only gain meaning when they discover their true calling, through which they are able to help others. Life can not be solely defined by accumulation of wealth or achievement of self-motivated objectives.

Why Become a Volunteer for the American Diabetes Association?
We're not saying that being a volunteer for the American Diabetes Association will be more fulfilling than being a volunteer for another non-profit foundation. We're merely suggesting that you join the American Diabetes Association if you've had loved ones suffering from diabetes, and you had felt helpless because you're unable to make them feel better.

Being a part of this organization will not only improve the quality of lives around you but yours as well.

A Brief History of the American Diabetes Association
The association's mission-vision is simple: cure, care, and commitment. The ADA made a lifelong commitment to providing care to diabetic individuals and finding an effective and permanent cure for the disease. The ADA extends its assistance not only to people diagnosed with diabetes but also to the generous and caring individuals who have freely given their time and love to attend to people with diabetes.

Founded n 1940, the American Diabetes Association is the organization with the most significant contribution in diabetic research next to the U.S. government, having donated over $200M already throughout the years. Its presence has been widely established across the United States with over 800 communities.

Why Is It Important to Help People with Diabetes
Shocking as this may be, diabetes actually kills more people every year than the mortality rate of AIDS and breast cancer combined. If early warnings and symptoms are not given the necessary attention and care, diabetes can lead to various medical complications, some of which are life-threatening. Unfortunately, about one-third of this or around 6.2 million of these individuals continue with their lives without being aware of the dangerous state of their health.

The Responsibilities of Volunteers for the American Diabetes Association
An ADA volunteer has three primary responsibilities:
Extending Care - It's every volunteer's goal to provide as much care as possible, and of the best quality, to people diagnosed with diabetes
Eliminate Discrimination - Volunteers of the ADA strive to improve the outlook of society towards individuals with diabetes by getting rid of prejudices and misassumptions about the disease.
Social Involvement - Volunteers are not afraid to take a stand against any law-giving body or authority if the rights of diabetic patient are violated or if funding for diabetic research becomes insufficient

How to Become a Volunteer for the American Diabetes Association
You may do this online or better yet, find the nearest American Diabetes Association branch near your home and register there. Also, you can help the ADA simply by increasing people's awareness of the symptoms and risks of diabetes. Warning one person about diabetes is already one life saved.