Diabetes, a near epidemic, attacks people young and old
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

If diabetes did not exist, J.D. Ruf, 23, would still be in the U.S. Navy. He and more than 20 million other Americans would be able to live their lives without pricking their fingers to test their blood or giving themselves insulin injections.

No diabetes would mean that an additional 54 million Americans who have pre-diabetes wouldn't have to worry about a shorter life with possible complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage or severe infections that lead to amputations.

In other statistics compiled by the American Diabetes Association, 1.3 million people will be diagnosed with diabetes this year and more than 224,000 will die from its complications.

Jess Ruf, owner of Doit Center in Agoura Hills and Thousand Oaks, knows what it means to have a family member with the incurable disease.

J.D. Ruf is his son. He was a healthy, active young man who was diagnosed with Type I diabetes three years ago when he was 20 years old and looking forward to a long career in the Navy.

He loved his life as a sailor, but for some reason he was feeling really ill. Doctors discovered he had diabetes. Now he takes blood tests four times daily to check his glucose level. He also takes three daily insulin injections and he's no longer a sailor.

His son's diagnosis also changed Jess Ruf's life.

"It forced me to learn about the treatment and causes," the elder Ruf said. "When I understood the severity of diabetes, I immediately became involved to find a cure and create awareness."

He wants others to understand how serious the disease is and to know how important it is to try to prevent it by choosing a healthy lifestyle.

Ruf's local Do-it Centers in Agoura, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Simi Valley are asking their customers to make a donation to the American Diabetes Association. Employees are riding in the Tour de Cure for the third year. Employees and customers together continue to contribute thousands of dollars each year.

"We need to find a cure," Jess Ruf said.