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News Release

Taking Control of Your Diabetes Conference & Health Fair set for October 25
Event to focus on diabetes education and care

September 16, 2008

Each year approximately 1.3 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes, a serious and lifelong condition. Currently about 20.8 million people in the United States, roughly seven percent of the population, have some form of diabetes – and these numbers are only expected to increase as the obesity epidemic continues. In Iowa alone, more than 190,000 individuals are living with diabetes.

Iowa Diabetes and Endocrinology Center, Mercy Medical Center—Des Moines, Hy-Vee and Iowa Health – Des Moines have partnered with Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) to present national and local diabetes experts at a day-long conference and health fair. TCOYD is a not-for-profit diabetes education organization that plans conferences and health fairs focused on educating, motivating and giving hope to individuals and families affected by diabetes.

The event will be held Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Polk County Convention Complex in Des Moines. The conference will give individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and their family members, the opportunity to learn about the latest developments and technology from leading experts in diabetes care. Additionally, attendees will be able to speak one-on-one with diabetes specialists—including physicians, pharmacists, dieticians, educators and foot specialists.

“With the increase in obesity, more and more Iowans are being diagnosed with diabetes every day. This conference and health fair is a great way to learn as much as you possibly can in one day and in one location from a variety of diabetes experts. We want to help individuals and families living with diabetes to be educated, motivated and empowered to take control of their diabetes,” says conference co-chair Anuj Bhargava, MD, FACP, FACE of Iowa Diabetes and Endocrinology Center in Des Moines.

Conference sessions include:

Diabetes on the Offensive: Getting Educated, Motivated and Empowered!
The Personal Side of Diabetes: Overcoming Obstacles to Effective Self-Management
The Twin Demons: Diabetes and Heart Disease
The Role of Vitamins, Herbs and Supplements for People with Diabetes
It’s All About Prevention: Preventing Diabetes and Its Complications
What’s Driving You Crazy about Your Caregivers and Living with Diabetes? An Interactive Session Exploring Ways to Meet the Needs of Both People with Diabetes and their Caregivers
No One Wants to Be Obese
The Latest on Continuous Glucose Monitors
Type 2 Diabetes Management: Orals and Non-Insulin Injectables
Carbohydrates 101
Healthy Sexuality Despite Diabetes
Insulin Management: Pumps vs. Multiple Daily Injections
Getting to Insulin Sooner: The Truths and the Myths About Insulin Use and Type 2 Diabetes
New Developments: What’s in the Pipeline for Treating Diabetes?

A health fair featuring informational exhibits will be open throughout the day. Lunch is included and will feature keynote speaker Marcia Draheim, RN, CDE, presenting “Laughter, Music & Conversation: The Ties That Bind.” Draheim, a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator, is well known throughout the national diabetes community as a talented, inspiring and motivating health care professional. Her talents range from her skill in creating and customizing innovative health education tools to her excellent public speaking. A dedicated volunteer and leader of the American Association of Diabetes Educators, she will be inducted as its national president in January 2009.

Pre-registration is recommended. Registration for the event begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by the conference at 8:30 a.m. Early registration fees are $20 per person or $15 with membership. Early registration should be postmarked on or before Oct.17. The on-site registration fee is $25. Lunch is included in registration fees. In keeping with its mission, TCOYD raises funds from members, pharmaceutical and medical supply companies to keep costs down for participants. Financial aid is available for all those in need of assistance. For more information, please visit www.tcoyd.org or call 1-800-998-2693.

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TCOYD was founded and directed by Steven V. Edelman, MD, an endocrinologist with type 1 diabetes himself, TCOYD is a San Diego, California-based 501(c)3 charitable diabetes education organization dedicated to educating and motivating people with diabetes, and their loved ones, to take a more active role in their condition to live healthier, happier and more productive lives. Over seventy TCOYD conferences have been held throughout the United States during the past 11 years. More than 1000 attendees and over 35 pharmaceutical and health care exhibitors attended the Des Moines TCOYD Conference held in 2005. Over 12,000 people took advantage of TCOYD conferences nation-wide in 2005.