INDIANAPOLIS — The American Diabetes Association (ADA), Indiana Area, has named Fishers resident Brenda Johnson its 2009 Unsung Hero.
A native of Harvey, Illinois, Johnson first decided to volunteer with the American Diabetes Association because of her family history of diabetes. During her seven-year tenure with the ADA, she has served in a variety of roles, ranging from representing the Association at health fairs across central Indiana to volunteering on event day at ADA’s Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes and Tour de Cure events.
Johnson also holds a variety of leadership roles within the ADA. She is a member of the Indiana Area Community Leadership Board, and in 2008, she chaired the Indiana Area’s Minority Outreach Committee — a volunteer group that supports the ADA’s local events targeted to minority communities disproportionately affected by diabetes. As part of this role, Johnson helped to plan the ADA’s 2008 Address to the Minority Business Community. She also assisted the ADA in providing free diabetes screenings to nearly 700 visitors at the 2008 INShape Indiana Minority Health Fair at Indiana Black Expo. In addition, Johnson has helped to secure guest speakers for the ADA’s Ask the Experts patient education program.
“Brenda Johnson represents the spirit of volunteerism that drives the fight against diabetes in Indiana,” said Jennifer Pferrer, Executive Director of the American Diabetes Association, Indiana Area. “We call Brenda our Unsung Hero because she works tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to ensure the fulfillment of our mission: to prevent and cure diabetes and improve the lives of all people living with diabetes. Brenda gives greatly of her time and talents to serve the ADA, and we are a stronger organization today because of her service.”
An Indiana resident since 1993, Johnson is a Professional Sales Specialist with Lifescan, a Johnson & Johnson company that specializes in diabetes care products. She was recognized in 2007 with Lifescan’s Volunteer Spirit Award for volunteerism within her community.
Johnson comes from a family with a strong volunteer tradition; growing up, she watched her parents and grandparents hold active roles within their communities. Johnson is proud to be fostering the spirit of volunteerism in the next generation by serving alongside her son, Clinton C.J. Johnson III. A senior at Hamilton Southeastern High School, C.J. has begun to volunteer with his mom for ADA as well.
“I am proud to be named the Unsung Hero,” Johnson said. “I think people forget that you don’t have to do a lot to contribute as a volunteer; you just have to get involved. Every small contribution a volunteer makes will help an organization like the ADA — or any other volunteer organization. Volunteer to do what you can. Don’t worry about doing something big, because it all adds up.”
Johnson earned a B.A. in Journalism from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. She has received extensive executive education through Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. She is also a freelance writer and a nationally- and internationally-published author.
Johnson was formally recognized on American Diabetes Alert Day (March 25, 2009) for her service to the Association.
About Diabetes:
Diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure. Its complications can include heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputations. More than 10,000 people in Hamilton County (6.2% of the county population) and more than 57,000 people in Marion County (9.4% of county population) are estimated to have diabetes. More than 700,000 Hoosiers (24 million Americans) have diabetes, and one in four are not yet diagnosed. More than 1.6 million Hoosiers (57 million Americans) have pre-diabetes.
About the American Diabetes Association:
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org . Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.
