W.Va.'s office of American Diabetes Association closes ...

W.Va.'s office of American Diabetes Association closes

W.Va.'s office of American Diabetes Association closes

wvgazette.com
10:29 pm on Monday, March 2, 2009

Low fundraising cited; state leads U.S. in this disease
The American Diabetes Association closed its only field office in West Virginia this week, citing an expected slump in fundraising activities next year.
By Eric Eyre
Staff writer
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The American Diabetes Association closed its only field office in West Virginia this week, citing an expected slump in fundraising activities next year.

Roberta Duffer, who served as the ADA's last representative based in West Virginia, is one of 60 ADA employees losing their jobs across the nation. The association also has eliminated another 20 unfilled positions as part of budget cuts for the upcoming year.

West Virginia has the highest percentage of people with diabetes in the nation. Duffer's last day was Tuesday.

"It's pretty sad," Duffer said. "I've worked here for 20 years. "Unfortunately, we don't make enough money through fundraising here."

The ADA eliminated Duffer's staff two years ago, and she had been working out of her house in Dunbar.

Her office provided information to diabetes patients and their families and referred them to support groups. Doctors frequently referred patients to the field office, Duffer said.

The office served the Charleston area and Southern West Virginia.

"We were working with all the local hospitals," she said. "Anybody who called, we gave them information and answered questions."

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The American Diabetes Association closed its only field office in West Virginia this week, citing an expected slump in fundraising activities next year.

Roberta Duffer, who served as the ADA's last representative based in West Virginia, is one of 60 ADA employees losing their jobs across the nation. The association also has eliminated another 20 unfilled positions as part of budget cuts for the upcoming year.

West Virginia has the highest percentage of people with diabetes in the nation. Duffer's last day was Tuesday.

"It's pretty sad," Duffer said. "I've worked here for 20 years. "Unfortunately, we don't make enough money through fundraising here."

The ADA eliminated Duffer's staff two years ago, and she had been working out of her house in Dunbar.

Her office provided information to diabetes patients and their families and referred them to support groups. Doctors frequently referred patients to the field office, Duffer said.

The office served the Charleston area and Southern West Virginia.

"We were working with all the local hospitals," she said. "Anybody who called, we gave them information and answered questions."

An ADA spokeswoman said the nationwide cuts - about 8 percent to 10 percent of the organization's staff - were necessary to keep the association "strong and fiscally responsible" amid the current economic downturn.

"It's been a tough time for our organization," said Diane Turcer, external communications director.

Turcer said ADA offices in Pittsburgh, Columbus and Washington, D.C., would continue to cover other West Virginia regions.

She said diabetes patients also could call the ADA's national call center, at 1-800-DIABETES.

"We have trained folks who can provide them with information," Turcer said.

Additional information is available at the organization's Web site at www.diabetes.org. ;

Reach Eric Eyre at erice...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4869 .

An ADA spokeswoman said the nationwide cuts - about 8 percent to 10 percent of the organization's staff - were necessary to keep the association "strong and fiscally responsible" amid the current economic downturn.

"It's been a tough time for our organization," said Diane Turcer, external communications director.

Turcer said ADA offices in Pittsburgh, Columbus and Washington, D.C., would continue to cover other West Virginia regions.

She said diabetes patients also could call the ADA's national call center, at 1-800-DIABETES.

"We have trained folks who can provide them with information," Turcer said.

Additional information is available at the organization's Web site at www.diabetes.org. ;

Reach Eric Eyre at erice...@wvgazette.com or 30...

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