American Diabetes Association Alert Day is a one-day “wake-up call” asking the public to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes. Held on the fourth Tuesday of every March, this year’s Alert Day will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2013.
Wellness leaders of the Mid and Upper Shore – Hearthstone Health and Fitness, University of Maryland’s Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology Shore Health System, Choptank Community Health System and Hill’s Drug Store along with the American Diabetes Association-Maryland – will work together to promote this important day by presenting a multi-hour diabetes awareness event at Hearthstone Health and Fitness in Easton.
The event will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 from 1 pm to 7 pm at Hearthstone Health and Fitness at 102 Marlboro Avenue, Easton, MD. The event is free and open to the general public and children are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
The multi-hour drop-in event will feature ongoing blood glucose education, nutrition for diabetes, exercise recommendations, discussions on how to cope with diabetes, tips for living better with diabetes, diabetes risk assessments and preventive tips for those at high risk for diabetes.
Dave Tuthill, president and CEO of Hearthstone Health and Fitness conceptualized the event. He invited wellness leaders to participate to be able to support a broad spectrum of services and discussions during Diabetes Alert Day. Tuthill remarks, “I am very committed to diabetes awareness as I am a Type 2 Diabetic. I am now fortunate to now be non-insulin dependent for almost two years based on a commitment to a new lifestyle that consists of proper nutrition and exercise. At Hearthstone Health and Fitness we have many members who are diabetic and are taking greater control of their disease through proper diet and physical fitness. By creating this event, we are able to increase the awareness about this disease far beyond our membership and highlight the many services that are available to diabetics in this area.”
Trish Rosenberry BSN, RN and manager of outpatient services at the University of Maryland’s Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology Shore Health System comments, “What many don’t realize is that diabetes not only requires a lifestyle change by the patient but also by his entire family and immediate support system. We will have a certified diabetes educator and dietician at the event to provide proper nutrition information for diabetics and their families so that the entire household focuses on the right things to eat. We also will have nutrition information to give to those who might be at risk for developing diabetes that could head-off the disease.”
In addition to nutrition, the event will feature information and medical equipment that is used by diabetics. “As a community pharmacy we have served many diabetic patients for years and are all too familiar with the daily challenges of living with diabetes including both supplies and medications. Knowing another local business is committed enough to bring this number of leading organizations together at one event to raise awareness about diabetes to those who are at risk and offer support is highly rewarding as a medical provider to our community,” says the owner of Hill’s Drug Stores and registered pharmacist, Mimi Hill Shannahan.
Choptank Community Health System will offer blood glucose education on-site at the event. Doris Allen, RN, at Choptank Community Health System says, “We jumped at the opportunity to participate in this worthy event. We expect to see a number of individuals come to the event not knowing they are diabetic and while at the event learn that they are at risk for developing the disease. We will be available to highlight how to manage the disease as well as provide extensive information to those who might be at risk.”
“Diabetes Alert Day at Hearthstone offers a chance for those with diabetes to attend an informative and supportive event. Our second goal for the event is to connect with and provide basic screening for those individuals who are at-risk for developing diabetes. If an individual learns they are at-risk, the more they can educate themselves now, the less challenges they will experience should the disease actually present itself. The number of individuals with diabetes in the State of Maryland exceeds national averages. Specific to the mid and upper shore, the disease affects 9.6 percent of adults in Talbot County, 10.7 percent in Kent County and 12.1 percent in Dorchester County,” said Kathy Rogers, executive director of the American Diabetes Association-Maryland. “Presenting this Alert Day at Hearthstone Health and Fitness is critical to raising awareness about diabetes on the eastern shore.”
Hearthstone will also contribute to this event by providing nutritional information from their team of certified nutritionists as well as information on the importance of exercise in managing diabetes. Coping with diabetes can often be a challenge. Mike Linardi, owner of Halcyon Coaching and Hearthstone’s resident Life Coach, will also be on hand to provide guidance on necessary creating support systems and overcoming hurdles to curb and control this disease.
For more information about the American Diabetes Association Alert Day event to be held at Hearthstone Health and Fitness, visit
www.HearthstoneHealthandFitness.com/Community-Support.html or call Hearthstone directly at 410.690.3838.
Awareness event will be held at Hearthstone Health and Fitness in Easton
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