National Diabetes Awareness Month (NDAM) is celebrated every November so people across the country can unite and raise awareness for diabetes and the impact it has on millions of Americans. Each year 40,000 people are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in the United States. In many cases, the diagnosis is not made until the person has been hospitalized. This is why during the month of November, the T1D community needs to unite and draw attention to the symptoms of this disease. This crucial information can lead to early detection of T1D and can ultimately save a child’s life.

Through the JDRF Kids Walk program, students, teachers and the local community learn about diabetes. The program educates students and faculty about T1D and its warning signs. JDRF has been hosting Kid’s Walk programs in the Waco and Central Texas area for many years. The schools appreciate the ease with which they are able to educate their students about what living with type 1 diabetes is like. Each student, whether they already know someone with type 1 or not, learn how to be a good friend to kids with this disease. They discover the difference between type 1 and type 2, the warning signs of type 1, how to assist friends in school as needed. It is amazing how this eases the minds of parents dealing with type 1 children. It also helps the faculty and staff understand the importance of understanding their role in the support of the children with T1D on their campus.

Raising awareness for T1D is the first step to finding a cure. The more people who understand realities of this serious disease, the more people we’ll have working together to raise money for the research that will end it. JDRF needs people like you to join the journey and create a world without T1D, ending its impact on millions.

To learn more about the warning signs of T1D, please visit https://www.jdrf.org/t1d-resources/type-1-diabetes-warning-signs/.

To find out how easy and fun it is to participate in a JDRF Kids Walk, please visit www.jdrf.org/kidswalk.