Why Do We Advocate?

Advocacy looks like a lot of different things: you can advocate for yourself and your community. DPAC advocates at the policy level to make sure that the things we need are at the top of mind for people who make decisions about our healthcare system. 

Diabetes is a pay-it-forward disease. We have all received help over the course of our diabetes journey. Some – like me – can barely remember life before diabetes.  In reality, we may never be able to fully express our thanks to the people who have supported us in our hours (and months, and years) of need. There is something we can do. 

We can advocate. 

We pay it forward and help others feel less alone by supporting, advocating, and teaching others how to advocate for themselves as well.  

Whether or not you know it, advocacy is a life skill you’ve been sharpening as someone living with diabetes. You’ve already learned to champion your health at school, amongst friends, and even at your doctor’s office. To live with diabetes is to be an advocate.  

We advocate so that everyone living with diabetes has affordable and equitable access to the doctors, drugs and devices they need to survive and thrive. We are a long way from that goal today, but it’s an important fight because we understand how hard it is to live with diabetes 24/7/365 and the devastating impact it can have on a patient’s life and health when that access is denied. 

We advocate because so many don’t have the ability or opportunity to advocate and their voices need to be heard. You are welcome to join us.

 Learn more about becoming a DPAC advocate here.