(June 8, 2006) Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) meets with Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator Martha Herrera of USC University Hospital in Boyle Heights. Ms. Herrera, an advocate for diabetes treatment and prevention in Los Angeles, joined the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and over 500 diabetes advocates from across the country June 7-9 in Washington, D.C. for the ADA's "Call to Congress: Conquer Diabetes" advocacy event. During her meeting with the congresswoman, Ms. Herrera emphasized the importance of increased federal funding for diabetes research and prevention efforts underway at the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the 20.8 million Americans living with diabetes, nearly two million of them are Californians. Diabetes affects the body's ability to produce and respond properly to insulin, a hormone that allows blood sugar to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy. Diabetes is the country's fifth-leading cause of death by disease, and complications of the disease include heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and amputation.