Whereas, Nearly 24 million Americans, including more than 590,000 in Michigan, have diabetes, which is a serious disease that has no known cure; and,

Whereas, Approximately 5.7 million Americans are living with diabetes but do not know that they have the disease; and,

Whereas, People with undiagnosed diabetes may experience damage to their heart, eyes, kidneys, and limbs without producing any symptoms; and,

Whereas, Another 57 million Americans have pre-diabetes, a condition that increases the risk for developing type 2 diabetes; and,

Whereas, Minority populations in the United States have an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes; and,

Whereas, If current trends continue, one in three Americans who were born in the year 2000 or after will develop diabetes in their lifetime; and,

Whereas, Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death by disease in the United States; and,

Whereas, An increase in community awareness of the risk factors and symptoms related to diabetes can improve the likelihood that people with diabetes will get the attention they need before suffering from any complications;

Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby proclaim March 24, 2009, Diabetes Alert Day in Michigan.  I encourage all citizens to help fight this disease and its deadly complications and to provide support to those suffering from diabetes.