Diabetes Foundation’s Key Steps to Diabetes Success Virtual Event

HACKENSACK, NJ – May 10, 2021 – The Diabetes Foundation, New Jersey’s premier not-for-profit organization that empowers individuals living with diabetes, announced today that leading diabetes and healthcare experts will come together as part of the second session of the Foundation’s Diabetes Care Month on May 12 at 5 p.m., entitled Key Steps to Diabetes Success. The event will speak to the value of understanding that standards of care and how to follow them is the number one defense against health complications from diabetes. Speakers will educate attendees on the steps to take to ensure overall wellbeing.

All events are free and open to the public, and those interested in attending any or all of the events can register at https://diabetesfoundationinc.org/caremonth/.

The speakers for this session include Colette M. Knight, MD, Chair of the Diabetes Institute; Brian K. Pflug, PharmD, Global Medical Director of US/Canada for BD Diabetes Care; and Steven Peskin, MD, MBA, FACP, Senior Medical Director, Clinical Innovations, Horizon Healthcare Innovations, Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey. Michelle Laranko, RN, CDCES from the Cooper Diabetes Wellness Center will host and moderate the session.

The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the ease at which the virus can make significant, if not life-threatening, impact on the lives of those living with diabetes. This has made diabetes self-care even more important as we look towards the end of the pandemic. Whether an individual or one of their loved ones live with diabetes, the session will directly address the questions: What is diabetes? How do I live my life with diabetes? What steps do I need to take to live my best life with diabetes? The session will bring together some of the Diabetes Foundation top healthcare partners, as well as certified diabetes educators, to provide a sense of comfort in knowing that assembling a comprehensive healthcare will help keep them in top shape and will answer the burning questions that many have.

This event is part of a four-part Diabetes Care Month virtual event series hosted by the Diabetes Foundation that began on May 5. The series discusses major diabetes headlines through the lens of a world emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, while also concentrating on what proper diabetes management looks like and tips on how to live a healthy life. Diabetes Care Month brings together government and community leaders, healthcare partners and diabetes experts, dedicated to breaking down barriers to diabetes care. As sessions occur, their recordings will be posted to the Foundation’s Facebook page.

After the May 12 session, remaining topics and dates for Diabetes Care Month include:

May 19, 2021 - 5 p.m. – Diabetes Myths Versus Reality – You can live your individual lifestyle and still effectively manage your diabetes! Join our community leaders as they dispel some common myths and discuss the reality of living with diabetes.

May 26, 2021 - 5 p.m. – Finding Affordable Diabetes Care – Diabetes is a complex condition and finding affordable care can be overwhelming. Learn how to navigate the maze of community resources to identify which ones are right for you.

Sponsors for Diabetes Care Month currently include BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), M&T Bank, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, Ascensia Diabetes Care, George Link Charitable Trust, BioReference Laboratories, ADCES, S. Rubenstein Family Foundation, Nannette Empey Bryan Foundation, Sanofi, The Russell Berrie Foundation, and Newbridge Medical Center. The Diabetes Foundation is still actively seeking sponsors for Diabetes Care Month. Interested parties can contact Pamela Weber-Leaf at pweber-leaf@diabetesfoundationinc.org or call (201) 444-0337.

While the COVID-19 pandemic will subside and some level of normal life will return, the diabetes epidemic, which can cause dangerous health complications for New Jerseyans from Bergen County to Cape May, will inevitably continue. With 10% of the state’s residents living with diabetes, and an additional 36% projected to have prediabetes and be at risk of developing the condition within 3-5 years, support is urgent and necessary. The value of proper diabetes self-care is undisputed, but barriers to acquire and implement these tools make self-care unattainable for many.

“Whether you are living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or prediabetes, the right education, healthcare team and healthy lifestyle plan can make all the difference,” says Ginine Cilenti, Executive Director of the Diabetes Foundation. “Our organization hopes this series of events can appeal to anyone throughout the State of New Jersey living with, at risk for, or interested in learning more about diabetes.

Inquiries regarding Diabetes Care Month programming should be directed to Ben Martin of EFK PR, at ben.martin@efkgroup.com. Any questions about direct diabetes support or care should can be answered directly by the Diabetes Foundation at info@diabetesfoundationinc.org or by calling (201) 444-0337.

About Diabetes Foundation

Founded in 1990, the Diabetes Foundation is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to empowering individuals struggling with prediabetes, Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes. The Foundation is committed to providing access to critical resources and medication necessary for people living with diabetes to remain healthy. The Foundation provides a number of programs serving children, parents, adults, caregivers and their families regardless of income or healthcare coverage. The generous support from patrons and sponsors allows the Diabetes Foundation to continue to offer their services to the community for free. You can learn more about the foundation at www.diabetesfoundationinc.org or by calling (201) 444-0337.

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