'Diabetes Alert Day' Events to be Held in Bergen County March 24

Diabetes events in honor of Diabetes Alert Day, a “wake-up call” urging the public to find out their risks for developing type 2 diabetes, will be held in Bergen County on March 24.

The first event comes from the Ridgewood YMCA and the Diabetes Foundation, who will hold an Evening of Exercise and Education on Tuesday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Ridgewood YMCA, located at 112 Oak Street in Ridgewood.

Attendees will have the opportunity to take the Diabetes Risk Test, participate in activities like spin classes, swimming, basketball, hatha yoga, cardio dance fusion and strength and conditioning, receive free nutritional counseling and fasting blood sugar testing and blood pressure checks. Bread and bagel samples from BreaDr, which takes a holistic approach to health and nutrition, and other healthy food samples and giveaways will also be available.

The event is open to the public, with a suggested donation to the Diabetes Foundation of $13. For more information, call (201) 444-0337 or visit www.diabetesfoundationinc.org.

The second event will be ”A Touch of Sugar - Preventing Diabetes” hosted by Valley Hospital from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on March 24, which will show attendees how to prevent diabetes and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The program, which will be led by Valley’s Certified Diabetes Educators Cindy Luer, R.N. and Dietitian Leslie Schifrien, will be held at The Valley Hospital Conference Center, located at 223 North Van Dien Avenue in Ridgewood.

For more information and to register for the event, call 1-800-VALLEY 1 (1-800-825-5391) or visit www.ValleyHealth.com/Events. Space is limited.

Diabetes is the third largest cause of death among Americans, and the leading cause of blindness and non-traumatic amputations, according to the Diabetes Foundation.