BUFFALO, NY -- Barry E. Snyder Sr., Presidential Candidate, Seneca Party, announced today the formation of the Seneca Diabetes Foundation to work in conjunction with the American Diabetes Association. The Foundation, which received its initial seed money with a $5,000 donation from Barry E. Snyder, Sr. and Family, will raise private funding to continue research and development and implement preventative health and education programs for the Seneca Nation.

Diabetes is one of the two top health problems affecting the Seneca Nation of Indians. In fact, diabetes affects 50 percent of all Native Americans versus six percent of the country’s general population.

“Years ago, Native Americans did not have diabetes,” said Snyder. “Elders can recall times when people hunted and gathered food for simple meals. People walked a lot. Now, in our Native communities, one in two adults has diabetes and its affecting our young people at earlier ages.”

To address this increasingly challenging health problem within the Seneca Nation, the Seneca Diabetes Foundation has set a goal to raise a minimum of $250,000 in private funds in its first year. These funds would be dedicated to Seneca Nation diabetes issues such as providing easier access for Nation members to dialysis treatment and adolescent testing, enhancing educational and training programs within the Nation, and adopting Awakening the Spirit, a national ADA established prevention and control program rooted in Native American history and designed to meet the needs of Native American communities.

“This is an opportunity to build a positive relationship between the American Diabetes Association and the Seneca Nation to promote wellness and fight the continued onset of diabetes,” said Cronan Long, Executive Director, American Diabetes Association. “Partnerships like this can help reduce the devastation of diabetes for Native Americans and all people affected by this terrible disease.”

The Seneca Diabetes Foundation will begin fundraising with several events including a golf tournament and a world-class motorcycle ride, will research and apply for untapped grant monies and sponsor events in conjunction with the Nation’s casino operations.

Dr. Paresh Dandona, Executive Director of the Diabetes Center of WNY, which is located Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital, stated, "It is very important to support the cause of this foundation. In doing so, we all can play a role in lifting up the care of diabetes among Native Americans. Diabetes has been very debilitating to the native community. Through research, education and care we can further reduce morbidity and mortality."

“Our goal is not to duplicate what is already being done,” said Snyder. “We eed to do more.  Diabetes affects me personally.  I see how our people struggle just to get treatment because it’s too far away. We are going to bring the treatment to our people. We have to make life better for those in our Nation who are affected by diabetes.”

The announcement was made at Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital, part of Kaleida Health, the largest health care provider in Western New York. More than one million patients are seen annually at Buffalo General Hospital, DeGraff Memorial Hospital, Gates Circle, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, The Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo and numerous community health care centers.