Every 21 seconds, someone is diagnosed with diabetes. The month of November is Diabetes Awareness month4 and we have a great project …
November 21, 2006
Mr Edwin Holbrook
Editor-in-Chief
The Daily Tribune
1234 Sherlock Drive
Allentown, PA, 18103
Dear Mr Holbrook:
Five months ago, Thomas Youngs foot was bruised by a grocery cart and
today, he is losing his leg While the average person would hardly think
twice about such a minor accident, Thomas Young, who suffers from Type 2
diabetes, will be forced to think about it for the rest of his life1
Seven percent of the US population, or 208 million children and adults,
have diabetes This means we all know someone, whether we realize it or
not, who suffers from diabetes and may be at risk of losing a limb due to
diabetic complications2 Youngs story highlights one of the grisliest
repercussions of the nations growing diabetes epidemic: As the disease
becomes more prevalent, so do amputations Every 21 seconds, someone is
diagnosed with diabetes Every 30 seconds, a limb is amputated as a result
of diabetic foot disease3
The month of November is Diabetes Awareness month4 and we have a great
project we would love to share with your readers and the community5 Good
Shepherd, a not for profit organization, offers a
comprehensive Diabetic
Amputation Prevention Program DAPP for people with diabetes Our team of
rehabilitation specialists provides a complete spectrum of prevention care
from foot screening and patient education to fabrication of interim foot
wear, splinting, and specialized wound care We hope youll share this news
with your readers since we firmly believe that by promoting prevention,
education and awareness of diabetes, we can reduce amputation rates amongst
diabetics like Mr Young, by 45 - 85
In the next few days, I will call you to discuss this program in more
detail and hopefully set a date for you to speak with local DAPP workers
and the patients who have already benefited from DAPPs services Also,
please convey any deadlines you may have in order to determine scheduling
needs and ensure timely delivery of information and materials6
As always, it will be a pleasure to working with you and I look forward to
the completion of yet another groundbreaking news editorial7 If you have
questions, or need additional information, please dont hesitate to contact
me at 555-123-4567
Sincerely,
Felicia Smith
Regional Coordinator, DAPP
- Name
changed to protect identity
Footnotes:
1 - Provides the human element enabling the editor and community to
relate to the story
2 - Addresses the so what, who cares? element by referring to loved ones
thereby bring the issue closer to home
3 - Provides the oddity and wow elements It details shocking information
aimed at grabbing and retaining the editors attention
4 - Highlights the timeliness of the issue
5 - Indicates the local relevance of the issue
6 - Conveys an understanding and respect for the editors deadlines
7 - Establishes familiarity and a relationship with the editor
References:
American Diabetes Association: wwwdiabetesorg
Diabetic Fact Sheet: wwwseekwellnesscom
Clare et al, Foot and Ankle International, 2002 October;
wwwworldwidewoundscom- Steve Thomas, PhD, An Introduction to the
use of vacuum assisted closure
The Diabetes Portal wwwdiabetescouk
The Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Center
wwwgoodshepherdrehaborg/amputee-rehabilitation/diabetic-
amputationasp
Van Acker, Kristien and Ali Foster 2005, July Achieving excellence
in diabetes footcare: one step at a time
Diabetes Voice Online
Volume 50, Issue 2
American Diabetes Association Complications of Diabetes in the United
States [cited November 18, 2006] Available at:
http//:wwwdiabetesorg/diabetes-statistics/complicationsjsp
HHS National Institue of Diabetes Digestive Kidney
DiseaseDiabetes-Related Amputations on the Rise; Daily Foot Care Can
Help Reverse Trend, November 2000, press release Available at:
http://wwwniddknihgov/welcome/releases/11-00htm
Saving diabetics lower limbs
http://wwwnewsobservercom/689/story/509673html
Source:office.xerox.com
