November 2, 2011
CCMH Celebrates National Diabetes Month
For More Information, Contact:
Sara Nelson, Public Relations
Specialist, Cass County Memorial
Hospital, 712-243-3250
For Immediate Release
ATLANTIC -- This November, during American Diabetes Month, Cass County Memorial Hospital
(CCMH) Diabetes Center is having two Diabetes Information Programs. Each program is free
and will cover a different topic in a “dine and learn” setting located in CCMH Conference Room
2 (use the west visitors’ entrance, go past the gift shop and take the elevator to 2nd floor).
Thursday, November 10th, Marcia Rabe, RN, CDE, will present the program
Stopping Diabetes Starts Now from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. This program will include
information about what diabetes is and the risk factors and complications associated with
diabetes, focusing on decreasing the risk for those complications. The program on Thursday,
November 17th from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm will feature Doug Leonard, M.A., audiologist,
presenting a program on Hearing Loss-The Diabetes Connection. There will be
opportunities at each program to ask questions of healthcare professionals. A light meal will be
provided at each session.
AChances are you, or someone you know, has been affected by diabetes in some way,”
said Marcia Rabe, RN, CDE (Certified Diabetes Educator) at CCMH Diabetes Center. “These
programs are for anyone to learn more about diabetes.” Preregistration is required and each
session will be limited to 50 participants. Preregister by calling 712-243-7833 or 712-243-7834.
Leave your name and the date of the session for which you are registering.
November is American Diabetes Month, a time when the American Diabetes Association
and Cass County Memorial Hospital want to communicate the seriousness of diabetes and the
importance of diabetes prevention and control. With nearly 26 million children and adults in the
United States living with diabetes, and an additional 79 million Americans at risk, there is no
time to waste. One out of every three children born today will face a future with diabetes if
current trends continue. The death rate from diabetes continues to climb. Since 1987 the death
rate due to diabetes has increased by 45%, while the death rates due to cancer, heart disease,
and stroke have declined. Diabetes is not merely a condition, it is an epidemic. Action is needed
-MORE-
-- from everyone. The American Diabetes Association is behind the largest national movement
to Stop Diabetes. You can join the movement by calling 1-800-DIABETES or go to
www.stopdiabetes.com to see all the ways you can show your support and learn what you can
do to Stop Diabetes.
The CCMH Diabetes Center offers diabetes education visits in individual or group
settings. “The education is provided in a relaxed, easy-to-understand manner, to answer your
specific questions about diabetes,” Marcia noted. “Our goal is to teach people how to stay
healthy with diabetes. We are here to help and support you as you learn to manage diabetes.”
After attending the CCMH Diabetes Center group classes, some recent participants shared the
following comments:
•
The staff helped me understand I can deal with diabetes and still live a normal life;
•
The class has made diabetes easier to understand and control; and
•
I have more confidence about dealing with diabetes now
A new study shows that meeting with a diabetes educator and attending a diabetes
education program can lead to fewer hospital visits and reduced medical costs. “People often
feel it is overwhelming or not necessary to attend diabetes education,” Marcia said. “Now we
have proof that making that effort seems to make a real difference in staying healthy with
diabetes.” In this study, those who attended at least one diabetes educational visit saw an
average savings of $11,571 in hospital charges per person and experienced a 34% lower
hospitalization rate.
The CCMH Diabetes Center has received national recognition from the American
Diabetes Association. To find out how you can register for a diabetes education personal visit or
group class, contact Marcia at the CCMH Diabetes Center at 712-243-7833.
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