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Miss America to focus on diabetes
education Posted 9-28-98 The new Miss America is described as having ambition, intelligence, and a winning smile. She also has Type 1 diabetes and plans to spotlight the disease during her one-year reign. Nicole Johnson, Miss Virginia, was crowned Miss America Sept. 19 at the 78th annual Miss America pageant in Atlantic City. Diagnosed with the diabetes five years ago, the aspiring news anchor from Roanoke, Va. plans to campaign for funding for research to find a diabetes cure. She also wants to focus on educating the public about early detection and prevention of the disease. Johnson, who has worked for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, was one of two contestants in the pageant with diabetes, according to Jerry Franz, national vice president of communications and programs for the ADA. The other was Miss New York. Johnson wears an insulin pump on her hip. In fact, she wore the pump—a small, pager-like device—during all phases of the contest except the swimsuit competition. Diabetes advocates are excited that the newly crowned Miss America will focus on diabetes. "We are pleased and proud of Nicole Johnson’s willingness to come forward," Franz said. As a result of her courage, there will be increased diabetes awareness, he said. "I think Johnson will be a great advocate of diabetes," agreed Kathy Mulcahy, MSN, RN, certified diabetes educator and president of the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Related Sites |
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