Across the nation more than 40 cities and landmarks, including the Nevada Capitol Building, will “go blue” in observance of the disease. A blue circle is the global symbol of diabetes; the circle portrays unity and the blue is the color of the flag of the United Nations and reflects the color of the sky under which we all stand.
Diabetes affects 26.8 million Americans and an estimated 250,000 Nevadans. There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Taking insulin does not cure any type of diabetes nor prevent the possibility of its eventual and devastating effects, including kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, amputation, heart attack, stroke and pregnancy complications. In 2009, diabetes accounted for $174 billion in health care costs in the U.S.; in Nevada it accounts for $167 million annually.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) of Northern Nevada provides the following information and resources to help our community become more educated about diabetes. For more information, contact JDRF at 786-1881, e-mail firstname.lastname@example.org or visit www.jdrf.org/northernnevada.