How we got started
In 1996, two teenagers, Nicolas Cuttriss and Jesse Fuchs-Simon,
established AYUDA after witnessing first hand the socioeconomic
and emotional hardships associated with diabetes in Latin America.
From the moment Jesse and Nick realized the desperate situation
facing people with diabetes specifically, in Ecuador and generally
throughout Latin America, they committed themselves to making
a difference. They envisioned an organization lead by youth that
encouraged other youth to serve as agents for change. Eight years
later, AYUDA embodies that dream. 
Initially, AYUDA strove to provide basic education in the form
of support groups and educational workshops to foster improved
diabetes management among children living with diabetes. Amazingly
enough, however, what began as rudimentary diabetes support groups
in the corridors of a public hospital in Ecuador, quickly burgeoned
into a much larger idea. Today, AYUDA strives to raise awareness
of and promote sustainable development for diabetes communities
throughout the Americas using youth as agents for positive change.
Consequently, our objectives are three fold. We want to create
and strengthen self-sustaining local and national diabetes organizations
throughout the Americas; empower youth with diabetes to develop
and lead educational, medical, recreational, and advocacy programs;
and increase international awareness of diabetes communities.
Today, governments and health organizations throughout the Americas
recognize AYUDA. AYUDA has sent dozens of American youth
to multiple countries to help develop and implement sustainable
diabetes programs. In recent years AYUDA has experienced incredible
growth. It appears that our philosophy is contagious!
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Jose Gabriel's Story
In 1984, at only six months of age, Jose Gabriel of Quito, Ecuador
went into a coma. Although both of Jose's parents were practicing
physicians, nobody knew what was wrong with Jose. After a week
in the hospital, an endocrinologist in Ecuador diagnosed young
Jose with type 1 diabetes. The endocrinologist told Jose's parents
that their son would be sure to live a healthy life if they can
afford to provide him with sufficient insulin each month.
Jose's parents spent practically all their income on Jose's insulin,
never questioning the endocrinologist, thinking Jose's health
would improve. However, instead of improving, Jose's health slowly
deteriorated. Eight years later, he entered into a coma yet again.
Jose's parents could not understand why this happened.
The family had stretched themselves economically to provide him
the necessary insulin, yet Jose was still in poor health. As physicians,
Jose's parents felt there had to be some medical explanation.
After having the fortune of receiving a grant to visit the National
Institute of Health in Washington, DC to receive training in the
United States, Jose and his parents soon discovered what was wrong
- they were simply lacking the tools and skills necessary to manage
Jose's condition. Until this point they did not know how diet,
exercise, daily routines, and stress affect diabetes. They did
not understand the importance of blood glucose monitoring.
They had no access to valuable educational resources to learn
more about diabetes.
Jose Gabriel's story is yet another example of the of International
Diabetes Federation's commonly quoted phrase: “A lack of education
is as dangerous as a lack of insulin.” Founded on this principal,
AYUDA strives to reach other children living with diabetes throughout
the Americas to provide them with the tools and education that
Jose Gabriel was so lucky to find.
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AYUDA
