By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

In November, many DC 37 members are wearing blue to mark Diabetes Awareness Month.

“Diabetes is the biggest health epidemic of our time,” said Board of Education Employees Local 372 President Shaun D.  Francois I, who chairs the union’s Disability Advisory Committee.

Our goal is to raise awareness and tackle the negative stigma surrounding diabetes,” Francois added, while speaking at a recent committee meeting.

Diabetes 1, 2 or gestational diabetes develops when the pancreas cannot use or no longer makes insulin.

If ignored or left undiagnosed, diabetes can cause neuropathy, blindness, heart attacks, strokes and coma that can lead to death. But diabetes is manageable and can be determined with a simple screening, according to the American Diabetes Association.

“It’s important to get educated and see your doctor,” Francois said. “One in four people has diabetes but doesn’t know it. Awareness means getting tested and not living in denial about diabetes.”

The DC 37 blog is an official online publication of District Council 37, AFSCME, which represents 125,000 municipal employees of New York City.