A message from the Founder/ President

Dear friends,

There is scientific evidence that donating our time, talent or treasure to make this world a better place than we found it not only does a world of good for others, but also can be good for our physical and mental health.

Imagine someone just received a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis or has had it for a while and may be wondering how it will affect the rest of their life? Living with diabetes is indeed a complex and challenging journey, but with fighting it together through education, support, and access to resources, managing diabetes becomes more achievable. Diabetes, particularly type 2, is disproportionately prevalent in the African Diaspora, with Black adults in the US being (1) 1.4 times more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to be diagnosed with diabetes; (2) more likely to experience diabetes-related complications like heart disease, diabetes-related amputation [the rate is twice that of non-Hispanic whites], end-stage renal disease [2.6 times more likely than non-Hispanic whites to develop end-stage renal disease] , and diabetic retinopathy [46% higher in Black Americans than in non-Hispanic whites] ; and (3) 40% more likely than non-Hispanic whites to die from diabetes. This unacceptable reality led me to found the Africa Institute of Diabetes Self-Management (AIDSM), dedicated to creating a supportive network where individuals of the African Diaspora living with and affected by diabetes can connect and find the education and support they need to thrive in their journey.

While there is still no cure for any type of diabetes, ongoing research is promising and may lead to new treatments and therapies that could potentially cure or significantly improve the management of diabetes. It is so important for us to understand the relentlessness of what a life with diabetes means and for those of us here at AIDSM, we believe that this means that we must continue to help make everyday life better and will not rest until cures or significant improvements in diabetes management are found. Thus, wherever you are on your diabetes journey, you can still live a healthy and happy life – and our team at AIDSM is here with the tools, health tips, and food ideas to empower you to get there. All you have to do is to take action and stick with it.

To ensure no one feels alone on their journey to wellness and resilience, AIDSM aims to provide a variety of programs and services, including diabetes educational workshops, diabetes support groups, and advocacy initiatives for diabetic resources. But the team at AIDSM cannot do it alone. Please join us in our efforts by volunteering your time and talents with our programs and services, donating your financial support to help us expand our programs and reach more people in need, or sharing our mission and vision with your family, friends, and neighbors.

Together, we can create a supportive network where everyone in the African Diaspora living with and affected by diabetes can thrive.

Thank you for your support and for being a part of our journey.

Sincerely,