National Diabetes Awareness Month is designated in November as a valuable time to encourage not only a greater understanding of the disease’s toll, but to provide the necessary resources to communities around the country.

Fronted by the World Health Organization and the International Diabetes Foundation, National Diabetes Awareness Month is a special time to bring attention to the impact it makes on millions of Americans each year.

Diabetes is a disease that can occur when your blood sugar is too high. This sugar is your body’s main source of energy, which is derived from your diet and the foods that you eat. Insulin, which is a hormone made by your body’s pancreas, helps this sugar get to your cells in order to be used for energy. If your body isn’t able to make enough, or any at all, it will not be able to use it well. This sugar will then stay in your body, unable to reach the cells. Having too much sugar in your body over time, can lead to severe health problems.

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by your body’s inability to make insulin. Type 2 however, is characterized by your body incorrectly using insulin. 29.1 million people in the United States are currently diagnosed with diabetes, but as many as 8.1 million may possibly be undiagnosed and unaware of their condition.

As part of their IB MYP Community Project, 8th graders Mia Bradley and Bobby Patel plan take their own spin on raising awareness this month, encouraging the TMSM communitity to take their own stand. By creating bookmarks with quick facts about diabetes, and planning a schoolwide activity to wear blue on Nov. 14, World Diabetes Day, they were able to engage their peers in a creative and effective way.

“A lot of people actually do not know much about diabetes itself, which can lead to some assumptions. If people are able to gain access to the information they need, then they can make a difference,” Bobby Patel noted. “What we want to do, is involve our classmates, educate them, and the school community,” Mia Bradley added.

"It's not just a disease, it's a lifestyle that some people live every day."

- Mia Bradley

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, or JDRF is the world’s largest non-profit funder for Type 1 Diabetes Research. As a global organization, they provide funding for innovative research and advocacy.

Jennifer Bentley, Development Manager of JDRF Alabama Chapter in Birmingham, expresses her thoughts about JDRF’s role in raising awareness throughout this month. “As a global organization, we are the largest center for type 1 diabetes research. Alabama is one of the top states in the US diagnosed with both Type 1 and Type 2, and here in this state, we see about 5-7 people diagnosed each week.”

Along with groundbreaking research, JDRF also provides support for those who have diabetes, promoting a positive, accepting environment. “We stay connected to families, not only in Birmingham, but around the state, and also through local hospitals. There are many platforms to be able to inform people that there is- a difference between Type 1 and Type 2. Everyone is encouraged to wear blue, and spread awareness in creative ways, from social media, school, and doing fundraisers.”

People of any age can get involved, Bentley adds, saying, “We have volunteers at schools and children that are able to educate their peers on their misconceptions. It’s because of those misconceptions that we have the platform to really make a difference.”

For more information, visit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund’s website, jdrf.org or see Mia Bradley and Bobby Patel for more information.