Bob Taylor and the Georgia Diabetes Foundation

This week, member spotlight is on Bob Taylor and the Diabetes Foundation of Georgia.

The Diabetes Foundation of Georgia is a non-profit organization providing diabetes education, research, and social assistance to diabetic patients in Georgia communities including Blairsville. The mission of the organization is to ensure that every citizen in Georgia has access to diabetes health care without prejudice to race, creed, color, or economic status. Every dollar raised by the Diabetes Foundation of Georgia stays in Georgia for the sole purpose of improving medical outcomes and enhancing the quality of life of Georgians affected by this disease. Goals are accomplished by promoting diabetes awareness, funding, and organizing educational programs, and providing emergency diabetes medication and supplies.

The Diabetes Foundation of Georgia has worked with the Georgia State Assembly on House Bill 710 to make sure diabetics are safe when they are on the road. License plates bearing the Diabetes Foundation of Georgia logo are being made available exclusively to diabetics, parents of a diabetic, or caregivers of a diabetic. Drivers with diabetes also have the opportunity to get a star placed on their driver’s license indicating that they have diabetes. In the event of an emergency, these lifesaving identifiers will alert law enforcement officers and emergency personnel of the individual’s condition and the need for special care.

Founder (and Executive Director) Bob Taylor has been in business management for the past 40 years and has experience in all phases of management.  Having had diabetes for 9 years and several bouts with low sugar, Bob understands what it can do to the human body.  He is dedicated to giving the needed help to each individual in the state of Georgia so that they may have a healthier life. 

What is diabetes? People with diabetes have problems making and using insulin, a hormone that helps the body process sugar from the food we eat. Sugar (or glucose) is used as fuel by the body's cells. Glucose builds up in diabetics and causes problems. There are two types of diabetes.

Type 1 is an autoimmune disease, which means the body's immune system attacks its own tissue. In Type 1, insulin-making cells in the pancreas are destroyed. People with Type 1 must carefully monitor their diets and take daily injections of insulin. Some inject themselves throughout the day as needed; others wear insulin pumps that provide a constant infusion of the hormone.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. People with Type 2 make insulin, but their bodies don't respond to it as they should. Those who are overweight and physically inactive are most likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. Some people control Type 2 diabetes by losing weight, exercising regularly, and watching what they eat. Many Type 2 diabetics do need medicine. Some drugs make the body more sensitive to insulin; others increase production of the hormone. Many people take a combination of drugs and some also need to inject themselves with insulin.

Bob Taylor says, “I would like to take this opportunity to ask for your help. The Diabetes Foundation is made possible by donations. There are almost half a million diabetics in Georgia. Please help our less fortunate citizens get the medicine and evaluation they deserve by sending a check to the Diabetes Foundation. All donations are tax deductible. You may also help by volunteering your time or purchasing a diabetes automobile tag.”

The Foundation holds a monthly support group meeting at the First United Methodist Church of Union County on Highway 515 in Blairsville on second Tuesday of each month from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.

The Diabetes Foundation of Georgia is holding its third annual Diabetes in a Day on November 1, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at North Georgia Technical College in Blairsville. This will be a very informative day filled with excellent speakers discussing various issues related to diabetes. Venders will be present to display their products. A delicious boxed lunch will be included in the fee. To register for Diabetes in a Day, please contact the Diabetes office or send your name, address and phone number along with a check for $15.00 to Diabetes Foundation of Georgia, P. O. Box 1580, Blairsville, GA 30514.

For more information about the Diabetes Foundation of Georgia, visit www.georgiadiabetes.org or call (706) 781-1200.