November is American Diabetes Month, and for the 54 million Americans who have pre-diabetes, this month serves as an important reminder.  Today, approximately 21 million Americans live with diabetes, a disease that often leads to more serious health complications.  Those who have diabetes are up to four times more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke than people without this disease. 

   Diabetes is a complicated disease that we must continue to research so that our world class medical practitioners and hospitals will have the tools they need to fight this killer.  Diseases like Diabetes have no boundaries and affect people of all genders, and ethnicities.  In fact, one in every 500 children is diagnosed with Diabetes.

   Congress must fully fund important research initiatives and health organizations like the National Institute of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention who work tirelessly to develop cutting edge treatments with the goal of finding cures for our most serious diseases.  I will continue to fight for funding so that one day our loved ones, friends and future generations will have the necessary tools needed to fight and cure diseases like Diabetes.

   Awareness is the most powerful tool in the fight against diabetes.  I hope that you will take a few moments and visit www.diabetes.org to learn more about prevention, early detection, and local resources available to Arkansans. Join me in the fight against diabetes, because together, through greater awareness, we can make a difference.