Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States, affecting over 18.2 million people. Right now, there is no known cure. There are two major types of diabetes in kids: Type 1 is when your body doesn't produce the insulin needed to transport sugar from your blood into your cells. (Without insulin, your body can't get enough sugar to fuel the cells in your body.) Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in children who are overweight, it happens when the body can't make enough insulin or properly use the insulin it already has.

Want to help other kids who have diabetes? Go to jdrf.org to find out when and where there will be a Walk To Cure Diabetes in your area. You can also write to your local congressperson expressing your support for diabetes and stem cell research.

4/26/2009 10:00:00 AM