The diversity of people with diabetes is vast. People of all ages, genders, races, and backgrounds can be affected by this disease. It is estimated that over 30 million people in the United States alone have diabetes, and that number is growing every year. Diabetes does not discriminate and can affect anyone regardless of their lifestyle or socio-economic status. It is important that member of the Cosmopolitan Club be aware of the diversity of people with diabetes, so that we can provide the best possible care and support for those affected.
 
When we become members of the Cosmopolitan Club we learn quickly about the diversity of peoples’ experience with diabetes. We learn that the differences between Type I and Type II diabetes.
 
With diversity in mind, I often marvel at the diversity of the Sioux City Cosmopolitan Club. Some of us have Type I diabetes. Some of us have Type II diabetes. Some of us are not afflicted with diabetes. Nearly all of us have relatives afflicted with diabetes.
 
I continue to be amazed by the diversity of our members. We are fortunate to have young professionals from Sioux City, as well as our three charter members from 1965: Jay, Nick, and Bob. Jay often jokes that he is so old that he was around when God said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). If this is true, then Jay is older than Methuselah, who lived to be 969 years old (Genesis 5:25-27).
 
I understand that the Cosmopolitan Club began as a men’s service organization. The Sioux City Cosmopolitan Club is composed of a majority of men. Let me be clear: we are blessed with several women who are key to the success of the club. Having men and women together in our club offers advantages. It allows us to have a diverse range of perspectives on how to best serve the club's mission. Having both genders involved helps us to create a more inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for members of the organization, which can help to form a sense of community and collaboration.
 
We have members who attend Protestant Christian churches and others who attend the Roman Catholic churches. We have members who attend the synagogue, Congregation Beth Shalom. We have at least one member who is an atheist.
 
We have Native Americans in our neighborhoods. They have been supportive of our mission to cure diabetes by participating in some of our fundraising events and have been speakers at some of our meetings. We continue to reach out to provide diabetes education and diagnostic services to all communities and invite any and all to join the club.
 
I am afflicted with Type II diabetes. I am an ordained Roman Catholic priest. I have so much enjoyed being in the Cosmopolitan Club. It is important to me that I assist with raising money for the mission of the Cosmopolitan Club to find a cure for diabetes. Yet, I had no idea how much I would benefit from the diversity of the membership of our club. For an hour each week I get to meet so many good people who have great hearts and are outstanding thinkers. I can spend a few hours each year working side-by-side with a diversity of great people working to end diabetes and care for those who are afflicted with diabetes.
 
Most of my life is taken up with the concerns of the mission of the Roman Catholic Church and their members who are in the boundaries of my parishes. The members of the Cosmopolitan Club have shared their knowledge, interests, concerns, joys and sorrows with me. We are often exchanging ideas and books.
 
I would hope that all members of the Cosmopolitan Club throughout the world would reach out to the many diverse members of your communities not only to find a cure for Type I and Type II diabetes, but to work with, learn from, and live a fulfilled life with the profoundly diverse community that is the Cosmopolitan Club.
 
Father Michael Erpelding