Ohio University’s chapter of the College Diabetes Network provided diabetes prevention tips, education and survey questionnaires at Kroger, 919 E. State St., Saturday morning to advocate National Diabetes Awareness Month.
About eight student volunteers greeted customers at the entrance while handing out fliers.
“We were able to inform people about diabetes prevention, and we ran out of fliers, so ... I think it was a success," Jennifer Yoder, the faculty adviser in charge of the event said.
National Diabetes Awareness Month is recognized every November as an opportunity for individuals, healthcare providers and organizations across the country to call attention to the disease and its impact on millions of Americans.
OU established the Diabetes Institute in 2012 as an effort to coordinate its resources, provide collaboration between departments and increase its efficiency to better assist people affected by diabetes.
Darlene Berryman, executive director of OU’s Diabetes Institute, said community involvement is one of the institute's main objectives.
“There are a number of services we’re able to provide,” she said. “We have a number of activities specifically to bring awareness and screening for diabetes to the community.”
The Heritage Community Clinic, located on the ground floor of Grosvenor Hall, will hold a special diabetes clinic Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. An appointment will be required for diabetes patients who qualify.
A diabetes coalition aimed to provide resources for diabetes educators will be held in the basement classrooms at OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The following Monday, Nov. 14 is World Diabetes Day.
A diabetes research seminar will be held Friday, Nov. 18, at 3 p.m. in Grover Center room W115. Dr. David M. Harlan from the University of Massachusetts will present, "New Tools to Elucidate Diabetes Pathogenesis and to Deliver Better Care."
The Diabetes Institute will present The Diabetes Expo on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St. The expo will provide information and support on how to cope with family members or friends who have diabetes. The event will be open to the public.
The OU Chapter of the College Diabetes Network will host the Bring Diabetes To Light 5K on Sunday, Nov. 20 at the community center. Registration time will be 10 a.m. with the race starting at 11 a.m. Registration will cost $15 with the proceeds aiding to send a local child to a diabetes summer camp.
For more information, visit, www.ohio.edu/diabetes/.
“Ultimately what we want to do is make Ohio University the most diabetes-friendly campus in the nation," Charles Riley, president of the College Diabetes Network, said. “And we also want to do community outreach around the campus because we’re in south eastern Ohio, we’re in Appalachia, so we’re in the diabetes belt. It’s so prevalent in the area that we want to try to educate people and support people in the community."
