From Diabetes Awareness to Action

With autumn in full swing and buckets of Halloween candy sitting around the house, this can be a challenging season for those impacted by diabetes. On November 14, we celebrate World Diabetes Day. It is a day to acknowledge the one in ten adults around the world who must carefully monitor their diet and insulin levels or face possible life-threatening consequences.

Awareness is a key component of World Diabetes Day. The International Diabetes Federation estimates around 50% of cases go undiagnosed. At Medical Teams International, we recognize the importance of health screens in detecting diabetes. Our global network of Community Health Workers is equipped to reach out to their neighbors and ensure they receive access to lifesaving information and care.

Daria’s Story: Overcoming Diabetes with Community Health Support

Community Health Workers often go door-to-door to share information about diabetes and other chronic conditions in their community, which is how Lizeth was first introduced to Daria. Daria, pictured above on the right, originally lived in Maracaibo City, Venezuela. For Daria, life in Venezuela was one with cherished memories and experiences. She owned a house and made a living by ironing her neighbor’s clothes. Treasured as life was, it was marked by inaccessibility. Daria developed diabetes and was unable to obtain the medical treatment she needed.

Daria says, “I had medical services back in Venezuela, but they did not give me the medicine. Also, I didn’t have enough to eat. I ate very badly. I was diagnosed with diabetes, and I took my medicine, but then everything became very expensive, and I had no way to buy them. Since I had nothing to eat, my diabetes worsened. I had a lot of discomfort. I felt like my feet were burning inside.”

Daria eventually had to leave Maracaibo and her life there behind. She headed to neighboring Colombia in search of a better life and access to the lifesaving medication that had gotten out of reach. The lack of access to care and medication and the journey to a new country took a toll on her health. Daria’s feet were swollen, her eyes were red, and she frequently needed the bathroom. Shortly after arriving at her new home, Daria was greeted by Lizeth (pictured on the left above).

“She arrived at my house. I was alone and she came to ask me several things about my health. She told us about your services. After a couple of days, she called me. She is always looking out for me. She comes and gives me information. The day I went to the labs, Lizeth accompanied me because my daughter was working. Lizeth is like another daughter to me.”

Lizeth brought Daria to a consultation at a Medical Teams clinic. Daria completed lab work to test her sodium, potassium, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration, lipid profile, glucose and ketone bodies, blood count, bilirubin, and ALT levels. All of these are important numbers in the management of diabetes. Daria received loving treatment for her diabetes and continually stays in touch with Lizeth. She wishes others to be blessed to receive people like her who bring hope and care. She shares these words to Lizeth,

“Thank you for making me feel joyful and alive with your daily visits and attention”.

Lizeth is one of the many Medical Teams Community Health Workers who care for their neighbors throughout the world. They ensure people like Daria are seen, heard, and cared for. They are a resilient group of volunteers empowered to reach out and link people within their community to the health services at Medical Teams clinics.

Community Health Workers promote health education, offer preventive care through nutritional screenings and immunization outreach, provide rehabilitative care, survey current and potential disease outbreaks, and carry out community case management. They embody the organization’s core value, “We Are Not Alone”. By nurturing a sense of belonging within the community and by connecting individuals to lifesaving health resources, Community Health Workers are the core of Medical Teams International’s Community Systems Strengthening Initiative.

A Lifelong Commitment to Health and Support

Without Lizeth’s knock on the door, people like Daria encounter barriers to receiving the health care they need. Diabetes is a disease that requires continuous monitoring of blood sugar levels. Those living with diabetes must eat a healthy, balanced diet with nutritional variety to maintain energy levels and control their blood glucose. Alongside lifestyle changes, sometimes medicine is necessary to reach a target blood sugar level.

For those with type 1 diabetes, the challenge is even more difficult. In the case of type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little to no insulin and individuals require doses of insulin through injection or an insulin pump. There is no cure for diabetes. Once identified, diabetes is life-changing and those diagnosed will need continual, lifelong support to ensure their well-being.

Medical Teams International’s calling to dare to love like Jesus compels us to ensure people suffering from diabetes in the areas we serve can receive the care they need. With something as simple as a Community Health Worker knocking on the door, people will know they are not alone and can begin their road back to health.

Medical Teams’ Diabetes Care in the U.S.

In the Pacific Northwest, Medical Teams Care & Connect program conducts health screens before dental appointments. These screenings measure patients’ blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months, allowing health workers to assess whether patients are diabetic or pre-diabetic. Patients instantly receive their results and information about next steps which will be used for primary care appointments when they reconnect with the health care system. This service provides a bridge for patients to get back to managing their diabetes.

Help Bring Health and Hope to More People Like Daria

Today, on World Diabetes Day, we recognize the urgent need for accessible medical care for those suffering from diabetes. At Medical Teams International, our Community Health Workers provide crucial support, reaching individuals who might otherwise lack access to loving, life-saving treatment.

Your donation empowers this essential work, connecting people like Daria to health services and helping them lead healthier, fuller lives. Bring help and hope to someone with a gift today.

 

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Janie Lonergan-Mohr

Janie Lonergan-Mohr is a dedicated Donor Relations Assistant at Medical Teams International. Janie has a passion for connecting with donors and building meaningful relationships. Janie’s journey in donor relations is driven by a commitment to making a positive impact. Outside of work, she passes the time by hiking during all seasons in the Pacific Northwest while hunting for mushrooms along the way.