Aloha … from BetheFree diabetes expo is Nov. 14
Register by Nov. 7
RANDOLPH, Oct. 28, 2008 – Gifford Medical Center in Randolph will hold its annual Diabetes Education Expo on Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendor booths open at 9:30 a.m.
The free health fair for those with diabetes has grown significantly since its start; last year it attracted more than 100 people – a reflection of the increasing number of Americans with diabetes.
Nationally, 23.6 million people, or 8 percent of the population, are thought to have diabetes, and the figure grows daily. In Vermont, more than 40,000 people have the disease.
Diabetes is marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from the body not producing or improperly using insulin – the hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy for daily living.
Gifford Diabetes Coordinator Jennifer Stratton, a certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian, calls the disease “an epidemic.”
The Diabetes Education Expo is a way for the hospital and its Diabetes Clinic to help address that epidemic by educating the growing number of diabetes sufferers in central Vermont about the evolving disease and what new help is available.
The expo includes a variety of speakers and vendors.
Launching the day is a 10 a.m. talk from speaker Riva Greenberg. Greenberg of New York is what the industry calls an “A1C champion” or someone who has diabetes, understands the challenges diabetics face and aims to inspire fellow diabetics to work hard to maintain their good health even in the face of diabetes.
Greenberg was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1972.
Her advice to others through her talk “Taking Control” is to focus on life goals.
“If you want to be healthier, focus on health,” she says. “If you want to be around until long after your grandchildren are born, focus on that. Don’t focus on the problem, or on what’s hard. Then go for it and appreciate each and every step you take.”
Following Greenberg is a cooking demonstration at 11 a.m. from Gifford chefs Ed Striebe and Steve Morgan. An exercise session will be held at 1 p.m. At 1:30 p.m. are two options: nutrition advice from Gifford registered dietitian Stacy Pelletier and a talk on advanced insulin therapy from registered nurse Rene Guilder of company Medtronic Minimed.
In the afternoon at 2:45 p.m. local social worker Marge Crowe talks about depression, something with which diabetics often suffer.
“Diabetes can be a very difficult disease to face, especially without any support,” Stratton says. “What we hope to achieve with the expo is for people to get good information as well as meet others who are also dealing with this disease.”
Anyone interested in attending the expo is encouraged to RSVP to the Diabetes Clinic by Nov. 7 by calling (802) 728-7100.
Expo schedule9:30 a.m. Vendor booths open 10-11 a.m. A1C champion Riva Greenberg tells you how to begin “Taking Control” of your diabetes 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Gifford chefs Ed Striebe and Steve Morgan give a cooking demonstration and talk 12-1 p.m. Lunch 1-1:30 p.m. Exercise tips 1:30-2:30 p.m. Gifford registered dietitian Stacy Pelletier offers “Nutrition Advice” or hear registered nurse Rene Guilder of company Medtronic Minimed speak about “Advanced Insulin Therapy” 2:30-2:45 p.m. Break 2:24-3:45 p.m. Local social worker Marge Crowe talks about “Depression” |