Diabetes Myths Versus Reality Virtual Event on May 19, 5 p.m.

The Diabetes Foundation, New Jersey’s premier not-for-profit organization that empowers individuals living with diabetes, announced today that leading healthcare experts and those living with diabetes will come together as part of the third session of the Foundation’s Diabetes Care Month on May 19 at 5 p.m., entitled Diabetes Myths Versus Reality. The event will highlight common myths of managing diabetes, including the inability to eat carbohydrates or sugar, and underscore ways to manage care within one’s personal lifestyle.

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/. Links to recordings of the previous Diabetes Care Month sessions are available at the same link.

The speakers for this session include Hilda Hernandez Sepulveda, BSN, RN, CDE, the Diabetes Center Coordinator at Holy Name Medical Center; Brian Herrick, Senior Manager, Research Communications, JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International; and Christopher Bryant, an active Diabetes Foundation participant. Dr. Steven N. Ghanny, a Pediatric Endocrinologist with the MOLLY Diabetes Education/Management Center for Adults and Children at Hackensack University Medical 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. Change is a word you hear when you’re diagnosed with diabetes, but your lifestyle and care may not be so far apart. Even in a challenging time, it is possible and well within your reach to take charge of your care. From healthy eating to medication and monitoring, this session will provide participants with an accurate representation of what it means to be living with diabetes today and how participants can effectively live their lives without major interruptions from diabetes complications.

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 19 session, the remaining topic and dates for Diabetes Care Month is:

• 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 education you receive, the healthcare you pursue, and a healthy lifestyle plan can make a positive impact on how individuals living with diabetes can live healthy, productive lives and avoid the complications associated with their conditions,” says Ginine Cilenti, Executive Director of the Diabetes Foundation. “Our organization brings this type of educational programming to anyone in 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.