U.N. Milestone Resolution on Diabetes!

[berni_mccoy]

From http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=106438

Global Threat of Diabetes Addressed in Milestone United Nations Resolution
Action Will Raise Diabetes Threat to Same Level as HIV/AIDS and Malaria

New York, NY – January 5, 2007 – The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the world’s largest charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research, called the recent passage of a United Nations Resolution an “important first step” that will recognize diabetes as a worldwide threat in need of immediate attention. JDRF also recognizes the critical role our colleagues at the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) played in leading the ‘Unite for Diabetes’ campaign to support and gain overall UN consensus in favor of this Resolution. For the first time, governments worldwide are elevating diabetes to the same threat level as HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The Resolution not only brings attention to the seriousness of diabetes affecting millions of people around the world, but will now officially designate World Diabetes Day, November 14th as a United Nations Day, to be observed every year beginning in 2007. Additionally, it encourages all UN Member States to develop national policies for the prevention, treatment and care of diabetes.

“This UN Resolution is a significant development within the diabetes community worldwide,” said Arnold Donald, President and CEO of JDRF. “It has the potential to positively impact millions of individuals and families suffering with diabetes, who do not receive the proper healthcare. IDF has taken an important first step by seeing this Resolution through, and for giving people with diabetes a brighter future.”

The IDF has brought together the largest ever diabetes coalition, including member associations, patient organizations from over 150 countries, the majority of the world’s scientific and professional diabetes societies, various charitable foundations, service organizations and industry. The Resolution was sponsored by the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and saw it through its acceptance by the G77 (a coalition of 133 developing and transitional countries at the UN led by the Republic of South Africa).

As part of the IDF’s ‘Unite for Diabetes’ campaign, Youth Ambassadors were selected from around the world to act as representatives and advocates for the UN Resolution.

Caitlin McEnery, a noteworthy 21-year-old volunteer with the Fairfield County, Conn. Chapter and a grassroots intern with the JDRF Government Relations office in Washington, D.C. was chosen as JDRF’s Youth Ambassador. Ms. McEnery has been working hard to help spread awareness about the international need for support of medical research leading to a cure, proper healthcare for all people with diabetes, and helping secure passage of the UN Resolution.

The passed UN Resolution on diabetes is just the first step, a phase will now begin to celebrate this victory and mark the first UN observed World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2007.

[Quakerfriend]

1. Well, just maybe the gov'ts of the world will OUTLAW

high fructose corn syrup and other 'foodstuffs' (if you could even call this that).

I'm not holding my breath!