Know the Risks of Diabetes? You May Pretty Soon in Greenwich

Diabetes kills more people each year than AIDS and breast cancer combined, the American Diabetes Association says, and, according to a 2010 state report, about 6.9 percent of Connecticut residents — 186,000 people — have diabetes that’s diagnosed, another 93,000 don’t know they have it.

In light of the size of the problem, the association and various Greenwich businesses, institutions and town government is starting a campaign for public awareness in town this month.

Here’s how they intend to do it, from a news release from the American Diabetes Association (slightly altered by Patch, with links added):

On Wednesday Sept. 3, 2014 at Greenwich Town Hall at 10:30 a.m. Peter J. Tesei, First Selectman of the Town of Greenwich will sign a proclamation declaring the week of Sept. 15, 2014 as Greenwich’s first Diabetes Awareness Week.

Through this official proclamation signing, Selectman Tesei urges all citizens to support and recognize the work that the American Diabetes Association is doing to find a cure for diabetes.

Hope Jayes, event manager for the American Diabetes Association says, “This is a monumental event in Greenwich. By proclaiming a week dedicated to diabetes awareness, the good health and well-being of the residents of the state of Connecticut are enhanced as a direct result of increased awareness and research into early detection, causes, and effective treatments of diabetes.”

The proclamation signing officially announces the week of Sept. 15, 2014, as Greenwich’s first Diabetes Awareness Week.

How that may help you:

• To kick it off, Whole Foods Market Greenwich will be hosting an Under the Tent event where Greenwich Hospital will be taking blood pressures, a dietitian will be discussing healthy life style choices, and the ADA will be giving Diabetes Risk Tests.
• Monday evening, Greenwich Hospital’s Nancy Ryan, RD, CDE, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator, will be giving a talk entitled, “Change Your Future, Fight Diabetes” at Greenwich Library.
• On Friday, Sept. 19, town employees are invited to a Lunch & Learn also sponsored by Whole Foods Market Greenwich with Nancy Ryan.

“Change the Future” gala

The culminating event supporting the American Diabetes is the “Change the Future” gala at the Greenwich Country Club on Nov. 4, 2014.

The festive and elegant event will help raise the dollars to support diabetes research, advocacy, educational programs and local community initiatives.

The evening includes a reception featuring exquisite hors d’oeuvres and aperitifs followed by a seated five-course dinner with wine pairings selected by Chamard Vineyards.

Talented and entertaining Master Chefs will prepare a unique and interactive multi-media farm-to-plate culinary experience.

What you might not know about diabetes

Diabetes has reached epidemic status in the United States:

• every 14 seconds, someone is diagnosed with diabetes, and
• 79 million people have pre-diabetes.
• Over 29 million Americans have diabetes,
• [over 93,000 in Connecticut, have undiagnosed diabetes]
• and 60,000 right in Fairfield County. They are not strangers; they are friends, neighbors and colleagues.
• If current trends continue, one out of every three children born in the United States after the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime.
• The financial and personal costs to diabetes are astronomical. The economic cost in 2012 was $245 billion,
• and in Connecticut the cost was $3 billion.
• Further, diabetes is the number one cause of blindness in adults and doubles the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Diabetes kills more people each year than breast cancer and AIDS combined.

What you might not know about the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association leads the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes. ADA funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes while delivering services to hundreds of communities and giving voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes.