Over the past several months, we’ve all been affected by the declines of the real estate and stock markets, but before this economic turmoil started American Diabetes Wholesale was helping people get their much needed diabetes supplies. Although there is not much one company can do to change the current economic condition, I say with confidence our team at American Diabetes Wholesale is committed to make sure everyone continues to have access to affordable medical supplies.

Last week our company was featured on our local CBS 4 News in a segment titled “Getting Your Money’s Worth for Prescription Drugs.” This story gave many good tips on how to save during these hard economic times, and also highlighted several prescription assistance programs to help individuals get the medications they need. You will hear first hand from one of ADW’s valued customers on how he was able to save thousands on his medical supplies.

During these challenging times, it is difficult for many people to afford all of their medical supplies and prescription medications. ADW will continue to serve the needs of everyone we can by keeping diabetes management affordable.

On Saturday October 18, 2008, American Diabetes Wholesale participated in the American Diabetes Assocation’s Fort Lauderdale Step Out! Fight Against Diabetes Walk.  The event was held at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, FL.  There was a large turnout of walkers and volunteers.  With music, food, volunteers, and excited walkers, the walk was a success!  Every dollar that is raised at an event like this makes a difference.

ADW handed out free meters to those who had diabetes or knew somebody with diabetes.  Also, there were 5 lucky recipients that won either a free Splenda Cookbook by Marlene Koch or an Eat Smart Nutrition Scale.

The ADW Power Walkers team had about 20 team members walking the route around the Bank Atlantic Center.  We were also able to raise nearly $2,000 for the ADA and the fight against diabetes.  Below are several pictures from the event.

Last Saturday the American Diabetes Wholesale team participated in the 2nd Annual Feria de Salud Por Tu Familia at Tropical Park. This was a great event during Hispanic Heritage Month hosted by the South Florida American Diabetes Association. Several thousand local residents came out to Feria de Salud to help fight against diabetes in Miami’s neighborhoods that are most affected by diabetes.

Here are a few key stats on diabetes within the Hispanic community from the ADA:

* The prevalence of diabetes is 1.7 times higher in Hispanics than Non-Hispanic Whites
* 61% of the population is Hispanic in Miami-Dade County (19% in Florida and 7% in the United States)
* 8.6% Hispanics have been diagnosed with diabetes in Miami-Dade County
* 2.5 million or 9.5% of all Hispanic Americans aged twenty years or older have diabetes
* An estimated 16% of Cubans in the United States between the ages of 45 and 74 have diabetes
* Approximately 24% of Mexican Americans and 26% of Puerto Ricans in the United States between the ages of 45 and 74 have diabetes
* Estimated that by 2020, 44% of Hispanics over the age of 65 will have diabetes

ADW enjoy this great diabetes event and all the activities that were available for the families for everyone. The atmosphere included live music, dancing, nutritional information, cooking demonstrations, face painting for the kids, and much more….

Some photos of the event including our booth and banner on the performance stage.

At the annual Florida Dietetic Association (FDA) meeting in Boca Raton, FL on July 21, 2008, American Diabetes Wholesale unveiled Destination Diabetes to the dieticians that attended.  The attendees were thrilled to hear about such a great website with all the educational and nutritional information that their patients need.  Many were excited to hear that they could start their own personal blog to share more information with their patients when they are not in a class or appointment.

ADW also raffled off three of Marlene Koch’s 375 Sensational Splenda Recipes cookbooks to those who had dropped their business cards off.  Also, an American Express gift card was raffled off.

ADW looks forward to working closely with the FDA in order to help in the education of their patients and also be the most affordable resource for all of the supplies that they need.

American Diabetes Wholesale will be attending the Florida Dietetic Assocation’s 2008 Exhibition at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, FL.  The event will be held on July 20 and July 21 for exhibiting vendors.  ADW is working hard with not only diabetes educators, but dieticians also.  Many dieticians become CDE’s, but even for the ones that don’t, ADW wants to make sure that their patients have a resource for affordable supplies and all the educational information they will need.

ADW will be proud to introduce or new Destination Diabetes educational website to all the hard working dieticians at the exhibition.  Also, that their patients can still eat healthy at a reasonable price with our discounted prices on products such as, Glucerna, ZonePerfect, and Walden Farms.

Last Friday, American Diabetes Wholesale honored the winner of ADW’s Diabetes Educator of the year 2007 - Barbara Odom. We had a ceremony at our office with a few key speakers and some of Barbara’s family members. This was a great day for ADW as we rewarded Barbara for all her hard work. Barbara Odom is a truly amazing individual who is dedicated to her profession and to her patients. As the winner, she received a free two night stay at the luxurious Boca Resort and Spa.

American Diabetes Wholesale’s Diabetes Educator of the Year contest was created to honor and reward these healthcare professionals who are on the front lines helping in the fight against diabetes. Due to the great success of the first ever Diabetes Educator of the Year contest, our company has decided to make this an annual event. We understand the import role these educators play and we are hoping to have an even bigger event next year!

Congratulations Barbara – ADW is proud and honored to have you named our first ever Diabetes Educator of the Year!

The  Greater Palm Beach County Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) held their annual Appreciation and Awards Ceremony on Tuesday June 17, 2008.  This event took place on a Florida Cruise boat that went along the intracoastal waterway in Delray Beach, FL.  ADW was honored to have received an invite and also receive a certificate from the JDRF.

ADW’s team had donate over $2,000 back in March for the Boca Raton walk.  American Diabetes Wholesale will also be supporting the JDRF and the Boynton Beach Firefighter Benevolent Association’s Charity Golf Tournament on October 18, 2008 at the Cypress Creek Country Club.

Have a wonderful weekend!

ADW has proudly accepted an invitation to attend the JDRF’s awards and appreciation dinner next Tuesday, June 17, 2008.  This is event is held for all of the amazing supporters, sponsors, and walkers who gave up their time and money to the hope for a cure of diabetes.

 American Diabetes Wholesale is proud to work with the JDRF and support them in everything that they do.  The walk was a huge success and I can guarantee that the awards dinner will be the same.

This past Saturday, March 29, 2008, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation held their annual walk in Boca Raton, FL in Mizner Park. There were approximately 3,000 people who showed up. The amount of awareness and money raised for such a great organization is amazing and exciting. American Diabetes Wholesale is proud to support the JDRF in ways such as this. It is now time for JDRF to start planning and organizing the next walk.

The weather had been forecasted to be rainy and thunderstorms, but it could not have turned out to be any more perfect of a day. The sun was out with a few clouds, and a nice little breeze every now and again. The two mile walk turned out to be successful. Approximately 8-10 ADW team members walked with family and friends.

The performances by local high school cheerleaders, bands, and singers were all outstanding. It created a great environment for a great cause.

Below are a few pictures included from the walk of members of the ADW team.

On March 25, 2008 on American Diabetes Alert day, American Diabetes Wholesale attended the health seminar at the Specialty Care Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  There were about 100 patients who had showed up for a free blood glucose and also blood pressure readings.  There was excellent lectures on diet, excercise, feet, eyes, stress, anything and everything that someone with diabetes would need to know about and how to manage.

It was a great turn out and another reason why ADW is here, and that is to help those without the resources for their everyday supplies.  Majority could not afford anything at all let alone paying the high cost for their supplies.  We have committed ourselves to keeping diabetes management affordable, and will continue to be there for those patients as a resource for them.

 Upcoming event for American Diabetes Wholesale will be this Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Mizner Park in Boca Raton, FL for the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes.