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She has transformed herself into an international diabetes awareness warrior. There is no cure for the disease, and its cause remains a mystery. Genetics, obesity, and lack of exercise appear to play a role in the two types of diabetes. Johnson’s type, Type 1 diabetes, develops when the body’s immune system destroys pancreatic beta cells, the only cells in the body that make the hormone insulin, which regulates blood glucose. Lifelong insulin therapy is the only treatment. Type 1 accounts for up to 10 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes accounts for the rest. It usually begins as insulin resistance, a disorder in which cells do not use insulin properly. The pancreas gradually loses its ability to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity, family history of diabetes, and race. African Americans, Latino Americans, and Native Americans are at a particularly high risk for Type 2 diabetes.

America's Walk for Diabetes - 2002

Johnson has told her story in 12 countries and 47 states. She has lobbied members of the U.S. Congress and helped raise more than $16 million for diabetes research. She has answered thousands of letters and e-mails from people who have visited her Web site, www.nicolejohnson.com. She works as a diabetes spokesperson and consultant for companies and for the American Diabetes Association. She has written an autobiography and co-authored two cookbooks for diabetics.