One of the major non-profit organizations, the American Diabetes Association, is having its annual conference in Philadelphia this week. Various themes will be discussed for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
According to Philly.com, “an expected 16,000 health professionals, researchers, advocates, and vendors from around the world are gathering at the Convention Center to share the latest in diabetes research.”
That is a lot of people. People who are important players in the diabetes industry, and can have a role to play in the way research is shaped in the next few years.
So why is it important to talk about a cure now? Because if we don’t, no one will. If we allow conferences as big as this to pass by while just talking about general issues, without making plans and commitments – things will never change. It is up to us, the donors and the diabetes community at large to make sure these 16,000 professionals know that above all treatments and latest devices, the one thing type 1 diabetics want most of all is a cure.
Over the next few days, we will provide deeper coverage on the issue and discuss what is being talked about at the conference. Hopefully, we will get to talk about a cure. And not just in terms of vague promises to “do better,” but some real, committed discussion about setting up targets to reach.
These annual conferences are a good chance to have our voices heard.
-Stoyan
