March is Diabetes Month

March Is “Diabetes Awareness Month”
Are You Aware?
Sharon Morano, Nutrition Educator

There are 20 million Americans who have Diabetes and 2% of them have diabetes but have not been diagnosed yet? The Center for Disease Control considers Diabetes to be in epidemic proportion. Are you aware, in Wayne County there are about 7,000 people with diabetes? Are you aware, Type 2 Diabetes is now showing up in children as young as elementary school age? Are you aware, Diabetes is preventable? Are you aware, if you have diabetes, it is controllable?

Are you aware of your risk for Diabetes, check it out;
* Are you overweight or obese?
* Do you have a family history of diabetes?
* Have you given birth to a baby weighing over 9 pounds?
* Do you smoke?
* Is there a lack of exercise?
Are you aware of the warning signs for Diabetes, check these out;
* Unusual and excessive thirst.
* Frequent urination.
* Unexplained fatigue.
* Changes in your vision.
* Unexplained weight changes.
* Chronic or frequent yeast infections.
* Wounds or sores that are slow to heal.

If you are at risk or if you have any of the warning signs, contact your health care provider. Tell them you are concerned and ask for a diabetes screening.

Are you aware, Wayne County has a Diabetes Coalition? The Wayne County Diabetes Coalition provides education in prevention, management and nutrition education, to control diabetes along with providing current and accurate information, and give support to one another.

The Support Groups are throughout the county and are an important part of controlling your diabetes. As part of “Diabetes Awareness Month”
Wayne County Diabetes Coalition, invites you to a:

“Diabetes Support Group Open House”
Saturday, March 10, 2007
10am to Noon at,
Cornell Cooperative Extension
1581 Rt 88 N
Newark, NY 14513.
RSVP, by calling 315-331-8415

If you have participated in a Support Group in the past you are also invited to attend.

The Diabetes Support Groups will be resuming in March also. Please note the days and times. There have been some changes since last November.

Afternoon Support Groups 1:30pm – 3pm at these locations
Williamson – Williamson Public Library – March 13th
(second Tuesday each month)
Palmyra – Zion Episcopal Church – March 27th (fourth Tuesday each month)
Clyde – Clyde Public Library - March 22nd (fourth Thursday each month)

Evening Support Groups, at these locations:
Newark – Church of Christ, West Ave – March 13th, 6-7:30pm
(second Tuesday for the months of March/April/May)
* this is a new group.
Newark – Newark-Wayne Community Hospital – March 14th, 5-6:30pm
In the downstairs cafeteria, conference room #1
(second Wednesday each month)
*This group is for those who have just been diagnosed or have
ignored the issue of diabetes. This is the place to get
answers to the questions you’ve wanted to ask.

Are you aware all of the programs and services the Wayne County Coalition provides are FREE?

Are you aware, you can live a better, longer and healthy life with Diabetes than ever before? We know so much more on how to treat diabetes. In the last 25 years research and the discovery of new medications and treatment are happening at the fastest rate since the discovery of Insulin about 100 years ago. We can live normal active lives that were restricted before because of diabetes and its complications. An now with a Meal Plan from a dietitian, all food can fit. This is such a freedom from the old restrictive diet for diabetes, it’s because of these and many other lifestyle changes, we are able to take control of our diabetes.

Are you aware of who the members of the Wayne County Diabetes Coalition are?Diabetes Coalition Members:

Cornell Cooperative Extension

Wayne County Rural Health Network

Wayne County Public Health

De May Living Center

Newark-Wayne Community Health

The Monroe Plan

These programs are sponsored in part by a grant through, New York State Rural Health.

If you would like to get more information about diabetes support groups and other services provided for diabetes, please call: Sharon Morano
Cornell Cooperative Extension, 315-331-8415 ext. 203

BE AWARE of Diabetes