Posted by Mary on January 08, 1998 at 15:57:58:
In Reply to: Demonstation Target posted by Dianne on January 07, 1998 at 18:14:20:
Dianne,
Here's a copy of a letter that was recently sent to my state senator and representative. I haven't heard back from either one yet!!
"Dear rep/senator,
I am writing to you on behalf of my 7 year old son, Christopher, who has had diabetes for the last 3 years.
In that time, we have administered over 3,300 insulin injections and 4,400 fingersticks in order to maintain his diabetes. By the time he reaches 18 years old, he will have taken over 15,300 shots and will have pricked his finger over 20,000 times!!! And all this doesn't guarantee thet he will always stay within normal blood sugar levels or avoid any of the multitude of complications associated with this condition.
Right now, there is a rally that is being planned for May 5th in Washington to raise the awareness of a need for a cure for this devastating illness. At that time, representatives from the diabetic community will be presenting letters to their representatives in Washington asking for support for more CURE research for diabetes. I am writing to ask for your support for this initiatove not only for Christopher, but for the thousands of Massachussets residents who deal with diabetes daily.
There are 16 million diabetics and diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death in this country. It contributes to more deaths than AIDS and breast cancer combined! Yet, there is a far smaller proportion of research funds going to diabetes. Just for comparison, AIDS receives $1,700 on research funding per patient, while diabetes receives only $20.
Diabetes is also the leading cause of kidney disease, nerve damage, blindness and amputations. The health care costs of maintaining diabetes are also astronomical. Each year, $138 billion is spent on maintainance alone, making it one of the most expensive health care costs facing this country.
What I am asking of you, on behalf of my family and all your constituents who suffer from this disease, is that you write a letter stating your support for CURE research. Someone will gladly present it in Washington on May 5th. Please feel free to share this information with you fellow representatives.
The diabetic community already has enough equipment to manage this disease and somehow this has failed to solve the problem. What we need now is a cure.
Thenk you for your time in regards to this issue.
Sincerely,
Mary DeMello"
I fugure it could't hurt!!