March 18, 2008

Honolulu to Host 9 th Annual Premier Diabetes Education, Motivation Conference

Nationally-renowned Taking Control of Your Diabetes Conference returns to Hawaii.

Honolulu, HI - The premier patient education conference on living with diabetes and the latest treatments for diabetes and its complications returns to Hawaii on April 26. A staggering 1 in 3 Americans born in 2000 will be diagnosed with diabetes in their lifetime. For minorities, the number is 1 in 2. Native Hawaiians are one of the hardest hit groups of people in terms of incidence of diabetes in the United States. Hawaii, a state with more than 100,000 residents with diabetes, is hosting the 9 th annual Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD), not-for-profit educational and motivational event to aid those with this chronic, costly and frequently debilitating disease.

The conference, which will be held Saturday, April 26 at the Hawaii Convention Center, brings national and local medical experts in diabetes care to people with all types of diabetes and their loved ones for a day of highly informative and motivational programs. Leading specialists discuss new medicines and technologies for treating diabetes, the complications of the disease, psychological barriers to controlling diabetes. Health professionals from across the nation, and from the University of Hawaii, John Burns School of Medicine, The Queen's Medical Center, Honolulu General, Hawaii Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, as well as a host of others from the Hawaii Association of Diabetes Educators, and Hawaii American Diabetes Association, have partnered with Taking Control of Your Diabetes, to hold this premier conference and health fair.

Steven V. Edelman, MD, founder and director of Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD), was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 15. Edelman, an internationally recognized leader in diabetes treatment, research and education, says, "It is my conviction, that health care in this country will improve when the people living with diabetes themselves are informed and empowered to take an active role in their own condition."

The not-for-profit TCOYD presents conferences and health fairs focused on providing individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and their family members, as well as those at risk, with practical advice and developments in treatment of the disease and its complications. TCOYD participants hear lectures, attend workshops and speak one-on-one with diabetes specialists, including physicians, pharmacists, exercise specialists, pediatricians, psychologists, dieticians, educators and podiatrists.

"With strong genetic and lifestyle influences, diabetes affects more and more locals. 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. TCOYD educates, motivates and empowers individuals and families living with diabetes to take control of their diabetes," said Honolulu-based endocrinologist and Conference Co-Director Laurie Tom, MD.

The conference session topics include: nutrition; raising children with diabetes; insulin and other injectable therapies; oral therapies; and treatments for the effects of diabetes on the heart, nervous system, emotional health, feet , teeth (including dental screening), kidneys and musculoskeletal system.

A health fair with 35 informational exhibits from national and local diabetes-related companies and organizations will be open throughout the day. Lunch is included and will feature special guest speaker Kenneth P. Mortisugu, Rear Admiral USPHS (Ret.) Kenneth P. Moritsugu, MD, MPH, who recently retired as acting Unites States Surgeon General.

Ninety-three (93) TCOYD conferences have been held throughout the United States during the past 11 years. 1500 attendees and 30 pharmaceutical and health care exhibitors are expected to attend the 2008 Honolulu TCOYD Conference and Health Fair

Pre-registration is recommended. Registration fees reduced this year. Early registration fees (on or before April 18) are $25 for per person. Registration fees include lunch, healthy snacks and all conference activities. Onsite registration begins at 7:30 and costs $30. The conference is from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Financial aid is available for those who need assistance. There will also be a half-day conference on Sunday, Feb. 11 on Maui, at the Maui Beach Hotel. The registration fee for the Kahului TCOYD conference is $15, and includes a buffet lunch.

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