Diabetes Foundation Sheds Light On Living With Diabetes

Managing diabetes can be difficult and often frustrating for millions that suffer from the often debilitating disease daily.

While some have learned to manage the disease since their youth, others find themselves developing diabetes later in life or caring for parents or family members who have developed diabetes.  

In response, the Diabetes Foundation Inc. (DFI), which is based in Paramus, is offering a free public education program titled "Living with Diabetes" on Wednesday, 7:00p.m., at the Paramus Life Safety Building on Carlough Drive within the Municipal Complex in Paramus.

The program is part of DFI's bi-monthly "Living with Diabetes" program, which provides free lectures on various topics related to diabetes management and prevention.

Andrew Kagan, M.D. will offer attendees a surgeon’s perspective on managing diabetic complications. Kagan will also cover causes, cures, and answer questions from the audience. 

Kagan is a former member of the surgical team at Hackensack University Medical Center, but is still quite active in the medical community.

According to DFI, while more than 79 million people have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, nearly 7 million go undiagnosed because they do not or cannot afford to go to the doctor for a check-up. A major factor fueling the diabetes crisis is the poor management of the disease.

Proceeds from donations benefit programs including camp sponsorships for diabetic children, public and professional education, and assistance with medications and supplies to those in serious need of financial assistance.

To register for the lecture or for further information about the Diabetes Foundation, Inc., go here or call 201-444-0337 or email info@diabetesfoundationinc.org.

Diabetes Facts:

• in New Jersey, more than 750,000 residents are currently diagnosed with diabetes. An increasing number of people in the state are unable to manage their disease due to unemployment, lack of health insurance, and difficulty in locating and applying for available resources.
• According to the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 25.8 million children and adults in the U.S. (8.3% of the population) have diabetes.
• The disease is a leading cause of kidney failure, blindness and amputations, and a major cause of heart disease and stroke.
• The emotional and economic impact of diabetes on families and individuals, and the escalating strain on the healthcare system in general is increasing the need for short and long-term assistance and solutions.
• The Center for Disease Control data report released in June 2008 confirmed that diabetes is the largest and fastest-growing chronic disease in the nation.

About DFI:
The Diabetes Foundation, Inc., established in 1990, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the care and quality of life for children and adults living day to day with diabetes in the New Jersey/New York Metropolitan area.