PROGRAMS OFFER ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WITH DIABETES

Mississippi is the "Heaviest State" in the Union, as approximately 65 percent of its population is either overweight or obese and, consequently, at risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and some types of cancer, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health's Vital Statistics.

"Diabetes is reaching near-epidemic proportions, which comes as no surprise to anyone, especially when you look at the fact that Mississippi is No. 1 in the nation for incidence of obesity and diabetes," said Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi (DFM) Executive Vice President Mary Fortune. "The issue at hand, however, shifts then from 'Why is this a problem in Mississippi and around the country?' to 'What are we going to do about this problem?'"

A few obvious choices: Visit a doctor regularly. Exercise on a regular basis. Make healthy choices about food being eaten. Make the necessary lifestyle adjustments, including especially the incorporation of exercise and physical activity into a daily schedule.

"The first step toward achieving a healthier life is the desire to improve your life and the desire to take the necessary steps toward that improvement," said Fortune, who has been living with Type 1 for over 40 years. "We want people to know about some of the services the DFM offers all Mississippians– whether they have been diagnosed recently or have been living with the disease for years."

"Because we understand the frustrations and challenges involved in maintaining a healthy life, especially while juggling diabetes, we want you to know that we provide care for today. We also want to stress the importance of the care we offer newly diagnosed children to provide a healthy start to their new lives with diabetes," Fortune said. "In addition, we also value our adults and seniors by insuring that they have the best care to enhance their quality of life while living with diabetes for years to come. We are always here for them."

The DFM offers programs and services for children and parents, educators, adults, caregivers, medical professionals and those living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

• "We Care 2" a signature program of the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi that sends a DFM representative or volunteer into the hospital setting to visit a newly diagnosed child and his/her family. The program's goal is to connect families with an ongoing support system and resource network for managing the health of their child. Trained staff and volunteers visit the family in the hospital and provide both comfort and information to guide them through the months of transition into a life of healthy diabetes management.
• Camp Kandu is a weekend-long camp for children and their parents. The camp, which is held at Twin Lakes Conference Center in Florence, Miss., is an opportunity for children with diabetes from around the state to come together twice a year for food, fun and fellowship. Camp participants– parents and children alike– learn about diabetes management, including the importance of healthy meal planning, exercising regularly and monitoring blood-glucose levels.
• "It's Not a Sweet Subject" is a signature program of the DFM that offers Mississippi schools and daycare facilities the opportunity to earn Continuing Education Units (CEU) by attending a DFM school presentation. The program is free for schools and daycare centers around the state. The goal of "It's Not a Sweet Subject" is to educate teachers and school staff on how to recognize and handle emergencies in the school setting and care for children with diabetes. The DFM provides the schools with an emergency box containing blood-glucose testing supplies with information and items for treating hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia for their students.
• The DFM offers an annual patient-education meeting for health professionals, patients and their families. The diabetes Super Conference, this year held on January 12, featured nationally renowned diabetes experts, including former U.S. Surgeon General Rear Admiral Kenneth Moritsugu, MD, and Nicole Johnson, Miss America 1999. The meeting featured several diabetes vendors, cooking demonstrations, the latest news on diabetes research, a session on insulin-pump therapy and a daylong session of activities for children with diabetes.
• With a steadily increasing number of Mississippians developing diabetes, the necessity of a steadily increasing number of health-care professionals equipped with the most up-to-date tools to help these Mississippians also has grown, which is why the DFM sponsors a Continuing Medical Education symposium annually for health-care providers around the state. The DFM recognizes that one of the most important keys to assisting patients with diabetes is a well-educated and trained health professional.
• Patient assistance is another vital service offered by the DFM. The "Helping Hands" program provides free emergency assistance with diabetes-related medicines and medical supplies to uninsured/underinsured Mississippians. The DFM will also make referrals to pharmaceutical- assistance programs and other area agencies.
• The DFM participates actively in community health fairs and screenings across the state. Through the "Empowerment" program, the DFM provides diabetes education to high-risk populations and blood-glucose screenings at minority churches and community centers.

"It is vitally important for Mississippians to know about our services. We are Mississippi's diabetes home team, assisting Mississippians of all ages live longer, healthier and happier lives," Fortune said.

The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi (DFM) is the state's only nonprofit health organization that provides diabetes research, information, patient services and advocacy, and its mission is to provide hope through research, programs and service to the 346,500 Mississippians with diabetes. Every dollar raised by the DFM stays in the state to support these efforts. In addition, 92 cents of every dollar raised goes towards the organization's charitable purposes. The DFM is the one diabetes organization totally dedicated to all Mississippians– from children to seniors– who live with diabetes.