DJ Spinderella has been active in the world of Hip-Hop for over 25 years as a pioneer of female DJs and as a member of the iconic group Salt N Pepa. The all-female group served as an inspiration and helped to open doors for more women to pick up a microphone or get behind the turntables. Although she’s not a member of Salt N Pepa at this time, DJ Spinderella is looking to inspire once again, and her goal this time involves health awareness. In the last week alone, we’ve seen artists suffer mild strokes and seizures, so there’s a lot of importance to what Spinderella has to say. Now a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association, Spin (as she likes to call herself) took the time to talk about diabetes awareness and why it’s such a personal issue with her. It doesn’t stop there. We also discuss music and her current situation with former group members: AllHipHop.com: Spin, you’ve involved yourself with the American Diabetes Association lately. Please tell us about that. DJ Spinderella: Diabetes has become an epidemic that affects us all – whether it’s ourselves or someone that we know. Over 25 million people are affected by it, including my family. I have lost family members due to diabetes, and most recently, my mother who died a few months ago from complications of it. My goal is to get helpful information and to pass that on to people. I used to be oblivious to the resources available, and I was unable to help my mother – that’s the biggest reason why I’m now doing this. I was helpless when my mother was diagnosed with it. I told her the usual stuff like watching the things that you eat and to exercise more, but there’s so much more attention that needs to be paid attention to. I wish I would’ve had those resources then that I have now. The American Diabetes Association brought me on as a spokesperson. I don’t have it myself, but it is hereditary, and it is in my family. The resources are available on the American Diabetes Association website. They cover everything from the current healthcare situation to maintaining a healthy diet and even controlling your glucose levels. The website is www.diabetes.org, and there is so much information there. This site covers everything from the latest in treatment and care to maintaining a healthy diet and even controlling your glucose levels. AllHipHop.com: That’s definitely a worthy cause. DJ Spinderella: It is a worthy cause, and the day that I mentioned it on my Twitter, I received so many replies about it. People were telling me that they didn’t have anybody to go to about it or didn’t know where to look. That’s the main problem. A lot of people are in denial when they are diagnosed with diabetes. That stage of denial is important because if you are not proactive, complications will begin to kick in. This can result in kidney disease to amputations – and you don’t want to get that. You need to be proactive. There are also a lot of people that have diabetes and don’t even know it right now. Some people think that it’s terminal. It can be terminal. You can also have a long life, if you take care of yourself and maintain it. (According to the ADA diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, and as of January 2011, there are 7 million people currently undiagnosed). AllHipHop.com: Why do you think there is such a denial about it? DJ Spinderella: You are young, out and about, having fun – and then you hear this news. Denial kicks in and there’s depression. There are so many different things that need to be addressed when you are diagnosed. A lot of people are worried about healthcare, and if they can afford treatment. You can find organizations in your area that can help you by searching on the diabetes website. My brother is currently at Stage 4 kidney failure. His son has diabetes, and he’s only 12. So I’m not just telling people to seek information. I’m doing it for myself and for my family too. AllHipHop.com: With this disease being a part of your family history, what are you doing for yourself to prevent it? DJ Spinderella: The website has been beneficial to me because as a DJ, I’m on the road a lot, so I have to really watch what I eat. I’m changing my diet and substituting the things that I love for things that aren’t as flavorful, but I’m finding that they are just as good. I have more energy now. I’m working out. People think that it costs to work out but you can go run the track or get on a bike. You don’t have to have a trainer to work out. Everything is not about cost, but even if it does cost, it’s worth it. What you feed your body is important. AllHipHop.com: More young people are being diagnosed with diabetes. A lot of young people think that it’s a disease that affects older people only. DJ Spinderella: I’ve spoken to some of my DJ friends who are diabetic, and they’ve let me know that handling it is a project in their life. Outside of DJ’ing and producing, they have a life beyond that, where they have to go home at the end of the day and maintain their glucose levels by taking insulin. That’s number one in their lives. It’s important for the Hip-Hop generation to maintain their health, and I am seeing that more and more. It’s not as frivolous as it used to be. For those that are on the road consistently, all I’m suggesting is for them to substitute all of that fattening food. If you’re eating out all of the time, go to the healthier side of the menu. A lot more restaurants are offering healthier items. AllHipHop.com: Being on the road has got to be tough. […]