ADA ambassador talks living with diabetes since 7 years old, taking control of her health

FOX 2 (WJBK) - According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions, about 37.3 million Americans have diabetes and 96 million people have prediabetes, which is more than a third of all Americans.

"My grandmother passed away when she was 29 years old, she grew up in Mississippi, Natchez Mississippi, and obviously they didn't have the technology that they have now," said Safiyah Basir. "She passed away, leaving two daughters behind and her husband. And my father passed away."

There was a time when living with diabetes was a death sentence but not if you take control of your life and your health.

"If I have control over my body. I’m going to take very good care of it," she said. "We only get one body."

Safiya Basir has lived with Type 1 diabetes since she was 7 years old. She’s seen how both forms of the disease can be disastrous for someone’s health, and therefore made it her mission to spread the word on healthy living - monitoring, eating well, and exercising.

"If you do take care of your insulin and your blood sugar, you can live as long a life as somebody without diabetes," she said.

Besides being an American Diabetes Association ambassador and supporting the organization in other ways, Basir runs the podcast Diabetic Loving where she encourages people to live their best life.

She has also just completed a kid's book for children living with the disease.

"We have a monthly meeting to give support and talk about what’s working for us and what’s not working and have a common space to come together," she said.

The American Diabetes Association is hosting the Tour De Cure this weekend.  the premier cycling event funds research and resources for anyone impacted by diabetes.

For more information go here.

Safiyah Basir