Residents raise the diabetes flag during the Diabetes Month Awareness Month flag raising ceremony.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
CHICOPEE — For the first time in Chicopee, the city joined together to raise a flag to commemorate Diabetes Awareness Month.
This event goal was to shed light on the impact of diabetes, a chronic condition affecting millions across the nation.
Mayor John Vieau shared some statistics and in the United States, over 38 million individuals live with diabetes, including children. The American Diabetes Association estimates that 97 million Americans are prediabetic.
Disparities in diabetes prevalence are evident among racial and ethnic minority groups and communities with lower socioeconomic status, often due to social determinants of health such as limited access to nutritious food and healthcare services.
Vieau said his daughter was diagnosed with type-one diabetes when she was 8 years old and called it “life-changing.”
“Technology and advancement in the medical field has come a long way,” Vieau said, “Prior to the year 2000, most people who were diabetic couldn’t eat really sugar and carbs and it was very challenging, but the advancement with long lasting and quick insulin has really changed the way people are able to treat and manage their lives.”
Vieau mentioned advancing glucose monitors and insulin pumps but stated he would “love” to see a cure for diabetes.
State Rep. Shirley Arriaga (D-Chicopee) was also at the event and discussed ways that people can help.
“On behalf of the Massachusetts delegation, I wanted to thank everyone for being here and raising the awareness of diabetes whether it’s today or any other day. I hope that we strive to take a few minutes to familiarize ourselves with the topic,” Arriaga said.
Arriaga also said she has proposed and secured funding for Chicopee to help the youth participate in sports of their choice at no cost of them or their families to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“Just to help our kids learn and develop good lifestyle skills, eating habits. Physical activity is important and does help whether you have [diabetes] or don’t have [diabetes] just to maintain and we all need a little bit of physical activity, we understand the financial burden,” Arriaga said.
The rising cost of insulin continues to be a significant barrier for many. While recent legislation has capped insulin costs for Medicare beneficiaries, broader measures are necessary to ensure affordability for all.
Arriaga talked about the possibly potential burdens of affording to combat diabetes and said, “We understand the difficulties with [diabetes]. A healthy lifestyle, you have to change a lot of things. The medicine and just maintaining is difficult and we are here for our loved ones and friends. One of the things that I strive to do is hopefully help the next generation to just stay a little healthier. Sometimes it’s just genetics and sometimes it’s our lifestyle.”
Ward 2 City Councilor Shane Brooks was there to show his support to the mayor’s daughter and all those battling diabetes.
He said, “I’ve watched Jenna grow into a strong, vibrant young woman, same age as my daughter. She’s defied remarkable challenges and it’s really amazing to see how far she has come and how far she still has to go.”
After the mayor read the proclamation declaring November as Diabetes Awareness Month, his daughter helped raise the Diabetes Awareness flag for the first time in the city.
