Monday, August 24, Nick Jonas, youngest brother of the tween scream inducing band, The Jonas Brothers, appeared on CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer to discuss juvenile diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes, or Juvenile Diabetes, is a condition where the pancreas no longer makes insulin. If there is no insulin, the body cannot metabolize carbohydrates properly, so glucose (energy) cannot enter the cells. Symptoms of Diabetes are frequent urination, low energy, weight loss, and persistent thirst.
Nick Jonas, 16, was diagnosed with the disease in 2005, and went public with the diagnosis while performing at a Diabetes Research Institute fundraiser in 2007. The pop star has been speaking out quite a bit lately to raise awareness, testifing at a Senate hearing in June to ask for more funding of Type 1 Diabetes research, and has continued to make rounds on Capital Hill, giving speeches, fielding questions and attending meetings with big wigs. The song “A Little Bit Longer” is also about his struggles.
Nick is doing his best to not only raise awareness but also to help those who suffer from the disease cope. The second youngest Jonas has teamed up with Bayer and their Contour Blood Sugar Meter to develop stylish skins for the little monitors and started a website as a resource for all things Diabetes.
The teen idol knows first hand how hard the disease is to control, and has shared that his biggest fear about performing isn’t nerves, it’s worrying if his blood sugar is too low. Planning is key: if his blood sugar dips, everyone behind the scenes is ready with medical supplies and snacks to try and control it.
Nick told CNN White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux on Monday “I’m here to basically raise awareness and encourage people to continue to do what they can to raise awareness as well in their own circle and on a broader scale,” he explained. “Obviously, we’ve made some advances in technology to better manage our diabetes, but we’re hoping for a cure one day, and that’s what the main goal is.”
The heartthrob also discussed the future with Malveaux, which included some presidential aspirations. “I’ve always said that I would like to be president. It’s kind of my whole thing.”
Maybe after his throngs of fans reach voting age.
To learn more about Type 1 Diabetes, and Nick Jonas’ mission, visit http://nickssimplewins.com/
Comments
af.saleem
August 31st, 2009 - 11:10:42 AM
Diabetes is more prevalent than ever and 95% of cases diagnosed are type 2 diabetes. Although for some the development of diabetes is inevitable, perhaps due to heriditery and other factors, for the vast majority it can be prevented by taking these 7 simple steps...
mickey gipson
September 12th, 2009 - 11:51:27 PM
why did you call me mickey mouse mickey is my name I am from manchester I.N
tati
January 9th, 2010 - 1:03:20 PM
hiiiii my name is tati and i was resentaly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes,a couple months ago i was really scared cause i knew nothing about it im 13 and still taking injections at 1st i thought i was gunna die but your like a roll model to me i hope one day i get to meet you and relate to some one who has type 1 diabetes