Getting the voice of diabetes heard by Oprah and the world

When I saw this video that Michelle posted earlier I thought this was a great opportunity to have our voices be heard by Oprah and the world. We can reach out to her to try to get her to focus her show at least once on diabetes, as a means of raising awareness.

How to do this? Very easy, fill out this form on the Oprah web site and let her and her production team know how you feel about diabetes, what things you feel need to be addressed, why is it important for her to help us raise awareness and anything else you can think of to share with her (of course, please tell her about TuDiabetes too!)

I am sure we can make an impact by having hundreds of us letting Oprah know about this, so she hopefully focuses one of her shows on diabetes!

Thanks,

Tags: oprah

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michelle Curtis on April 28, 2008 at 2:11pm: When was that? And was it type 1 or type 2? We are looking for some exposure for type 1 as we are often so misunderstood and misrepresented.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Linda Gauvin-Miller on April 28, 2008 at 2:25pm: I think it would be a good idea to bring awareness to both type 1 & 2, while also touching on the emerging 1.5....and explaining their differences....it infuriates me to no end when I hear comments suggesting that all type 2 d. are overweight & have brought it on themselves...I have always been very thin, active and eaten relatively heathy foods; it is however very much genetic on both sides of my family...I have never brought this on myself....yes, we must advocate.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Maureen on April 30, 2008 at 12:03am: It was about 8 years ago - the show focused on the high prevalence of diabetes in the Black community, specifically type 2 diabetes - the symptoms, while not as intense as type 1 in diagnosis, are mosty similar - that's how I twigged onto it for myself (the frequent unrination, thirsty all the time, weight loss, blurry eyes, etc.); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by George Simmons on April 28, 2008 at 2:37pm: Done! Thanks Manny.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lea B on April 28, 2008 at 2:44pm: Just did mine, too. :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Teresa on April 28, 2008 at 5:34pm: Michelle and Manny, thank you for this alert. I hope, ultimately, that Oprah's staff does appropriate investigation so that accurate awareness of Type I diabetes is increased (e.g., that it is NOT Type II diabetes, which is bad-enough, but a serious autoimmune disorder that affects, not only, children, but, multiple thousands of adults who live a very challenged life because of it), AND that it raises ample research funds - even to supply airfare, lodging and meals for those who are volunteering as human guinea-pigs for the research and for each non-diabetic, non-blood-related person who needs to come to each visit too (to draw “control” blood samples from). I found-out the latter part after doing some research....

Your alert prompted me to find what I could about Dr. Faustman and her research. I did a Google search, and found her website (). It is full of some wonderfully informative web pages in relatively understandable English (not over-loaded with scientific jargon). They provide a reasonable, brief, description and history of the research (click on the Research and FAQ tabs).

I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to read - directly from the source of the research - what this is truly about and what can be anticipated.

My take on what I read...
If the studies on humans, which are to begin this year, 2008, are successful, the treatment/cure should, according to Dr Faustman's website, be more quickly available to doctors and their patients because the primary drug is already in use for other diseases and has proved safe. However, in mice, the "permanent" success rate was 45%. Let's pray that the human body is better than mice at responding to this treatment/cure...

... and that the treatment/cure would be available through insurance companies and HMOs - quickly.

The manufacturers of insulin need not panic at the loss of people dependent on it for their very lives, since there will be, my guess, many that this treatment won't work for, for various reasons. One day, may there be a total elimination of Type I diabetes as progress in research continues to be made through trial-and-error.

Since previous "cures" have proven less than ideal (islet cell transplants, etc.), I am cautious in my optimism about this one, but hopeful once again, that a cure can – ultimately - be found, as my husband said, "before you turn 100". And, be found without using embryonic stem cells.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Khürt Williams on April 28, 2008 at 7:47pm: Submitted an entry.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by catchbehr on April 29, 2008 at 7:34am: Hi Ms Lady Oprah,Let me start out by saying I am one of your biggest fun.You are my Herian and If It had not been for you and watching your shows.Talking about todays Issues and world Concerns,people situations and how we all need to renew our minds and the way we treat each other.Telling us to Love and help one another. I think you said It Best In the Color Purple THERE MUST BE A GOD.!!!! Because I thank him everyday for people like you and may he continue to Bless You and all the work that you Do for others.Ms,Oprah. I said all that because I would like to ask you for a favor for me and Thousands of other people.There Is a site founded by Mr. Manny Hernandez called Tu-Diabetes,Its a site where all of us with Diabetes can go to support each other.And talk about how we feel and share the happy times and the bad times dealing with this disease.And what he has asked us to do Is ask you to please do a show just for Diabetics.So that we can make the rest of the world know about the site and the thousands of lives being touched.I know with your help we can educate even Thousands and Thousands more souls. With the latest Developments.And Meds,and so on.And If you Do Please Please can me and my two grown children come to see the show.Oh I forgot please tell Ms.Maya A. Lou I said can she come out with a Cook Book for Diabetics.? I would Love to get the first signed copy. I Love The Both Of you. Thanks Again Stay strong, Stay Blessed. Keep the Faith. Ms,Bryant (Diabetic 4 years Now).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ronda on April 29, 2008 at 2:35pm: OMG! I hadn't read my email yet, so I didn't see this......but believe it or not, I just sent a letter via Oprah.com, this morning, asking her to do a show on diabetes. I really hope it happens!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jan on May 1, 2008 at 2:25pm: Oprah has already done a show on Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is in the media ALL the time. The purpose of the video was to bring attention to the plight of children with diabetes. I do not mean to be divisive here, but the video is specifically asking that a show be done on Type 1 or Juvenile Diabetes. Parents are hoping to clear up the confusion between the two, as well as highlight the extreme severity of this cruel disease. Parents on the CWD forum want a show devoted to Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes. The majority of children who are afflicted with diabetes are afflicted with Type 1. I would get down on my hands and knees and kiss the ground if my niece had Type 2. This was the first question we asked the endo. These kids often need ten or more fingersticks a day, and if not on a pump, four, five shots a day, plus corrective shots. Blood sugars, even with weighing food, counting carbs and all the testing, are very erratic, due to growth spurts and the disease in general. They battle lows and highs daily. The "goal" for my niece is that she stay in range 70 percent of the time. In actuality , despite constant monitoring and adjustments, it is more like 50 percent. Fifty percent a day out of range and diagnosis at 8. I'm afraid to do the math and afraid what the future holds for her. In Third World countries, these kids die from lack of insulin or, if they manage to get inadequate supply of insulin, they get complications very early on. I would hate to see the show asked for be yet another show devoting media attention to Type 2, with a two minute sentence, rife with misinformation, devoted to Type 1. I hope Oprah will focus on the children this time. Yes, some children are developing Type 2 these days, but the majority of children, unfortunately, come down with the most serious form of the disease.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michelle Curtis on May 1, 2008 at 2:43pm: Agree. Thank you for making it clear. That is exactly my intention.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jan on May 1, 2008 at 2:56pm: Reading these responses, I am very much afraid we are going to have yet ANOTHER show on Oprah on Type 2 diabetes. You should make it clear that you are requesting a show that focuses on Type 1 or Juvenile Diabetes exclusively and for Type 2s not to include themselves this time. Type 2 is very well publicized, although I have learned here misinformation in the media on Type 2 is rife as well. But when I hear Chuck Schumer, who I know has been educated about Juvenile Diabetes, get on Channel 12 TV and say TWICE in a two minute blurb that "Type 2 is THE MOST SERIOUS FORM of the disease," well, we need a few shows.; ▶ Reply to This