A zip code can be a perfect Christmas gift. For only $100, you can sponsor one of our remaining zip codes, under the sponsorship name of your choice. We have currently sold almost 675 zip codes, so you have your choice of over 41,000 zip codes.

Every donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. All proceeds will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as Zip the Cure is an entirely volunteer-run organization.

I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

The purpose of World Diabetes Day is to raise awareness about the issue. The entire month of November is National Diabetes Awareness Month.

Below are two stories about the way certain people raised awareness:
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-11-13/news/bs-md-ci-blue-for-diabetes-20111113_1_international-diabetes-federation-world-diabetes-day-juvenile-diabetes-research-foundation This is a story about a girl who successfully contacted two businesses in Baltimore to turn them blue for World Diabetes Day.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/guinness-world-record-set-on-world-diabetes-day/202063-60-119.html Yesterday the Guinness World Record for the largest number people tested for blood glucose levels within eight hours, with 3,573 people testing their blood sugars.

Read the whole article at: http://www.jdrftalk.org/2011/10/14/national-diabetes-awareness-month-t1day-and-world-diabetes-day-in-san-francisco/

An artificial pancreas represents the most revolutionary advance in treating type 1 diabetes since the discovery of insulin. This device, now under development, will dramatically change the lives of people with type 1, allowing them to maintain tight control of blood glucose levels, thereby significantly reducing the risk of life-threatening fluctuations and freeing them of much of the daily burden of managing their disease.

The speed with which an artificial pancreas reaches patients in the United States will be determined by crucial guidance to be issued by December 1st by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA needs to hear from you that type 1 diabetes families are watching, we are waiting, and we are urging that the agency seize this moment to lead, and not stand in the way of bringing this innovative and life saving device to market.

Raising your voice now is critically important because recent FDA actions create a real risk that the agency may throw obstacles in the path of researchers, scientists, and manufacturers who are poised to launch the outpatient clinical trials required to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of an artificial pancreas.

You need to tell the FDA that delays are not acceptable. You need to tell the FDA to keep their promise to the children and families affected by type 1 diabetes. You need to tell them that the health and even the lives of your loved ones are at stake. Sign the petition and check the box to receive emails from JDRF so you can stay up to date on our next steps for the AP.

Sign the petition here:  http://takeaction.jdrf.org/site/PageNavigator/APAC.html

http://www.ajc.com/sports/albanys-delaney-overcomes-odds-1201540.html

Here are some questions and answers about the FlexPen from www.novonordisk.com:

• What is different about the NovoTwist® attachment?

NovoTwist® has a unique bayonet attachment that allows you to ‘just twist’ the needle onto Next Generation FlexPen® instead of the ‘turn, turn, turn’ of conventional needles (see ‘Step-by-step guide’).

• Does Next Generation FlexPen® only work with NovoTwist® needles?

No. Next Generation FlexPen® is compatible with NovoTwist®, NovoFine® and all ‘Type A’ compatible needles. It is therefore the only insulin pen that is compatible with such a wide range of needles (see Next Generation FlexPen® homepage for more details).

• Does NovoTwist® have features other than the ‘just twist’ attachment?

Yes. NovoTwist® includes a range of design features to make injections more simple and convenient. Read more about the design of NovoTwist®.

• Why has Novo Nordisk introduced NovoTwist®?

Novo Nordisk is committed to introduce new solutions that can improve the lives of people living with diabetes. In response to input from people with diabetes and healthcare professionals, Novo Nordisk has produced a needle designed specifically to simplify the needle attachment/detachment process for Next Generation FlexPen®. This needle is NovoTwist®.

• Will I benefit from using NovoTwist® instead of needles with the conventional thread attachment?

In surveys of people with diabetes comparing needle types, 7 out of 10 prefer NovoTwist®. NovoTwist® is considered less time-consuming, more user-friendly and simple to use.

I wanted to name this post Possible Cure for Diabetes but so many articles begin like this.  What makes this study different is that it looks at insulin totally different than we are looking at it today.

“These findings suggest that if there is no glucagon, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have insulin,” said Dr. Unger.

The study will be published in February’s edition of the journal Diabetes.

Today is your last chance to make your gift to a charity of your choice in 2010.

Visit www.zipthecure.com to make your gift right now.  All gifts received before the end of today are tax deductible in 2010. 

Zip the Cure is a 501c Charity and proceeds benefit JDRF.  We do not have a paid staff, only volunteers from throughout the country.

Thank you and Happy New Year!

Monica