August 6 , 2008

Kalispell to Host Premier Diabetes Educational, Motivational Conference
Nationally Renowned Taking Control of Your Diabetes Conference Returns to Montana

The Second Annual Taking Control of Your Diabetes, 501(c)3 (TCOYD) conference and health fair will be held September 20, 2008, bringing national and local medical experts in diabetes care to people with all types of diabetes, those at risk for diabetes, and their loved ones for a day of highly informative and motivational programs.

Leading specialists will discuss practical advice and developments in the treatment of diabetes, the complications of the disease, nutritional issues, weight management, insulin use, future developments in diabetes research and treatment, and much more. Health professionals from Kalispell Regional Medical Center, Big Sky Family Medicine, Glacier Eye Clinic, St. John's Lutheran Hospital, Western Montana Clinic, and Glacier Foot and Ankle Associates and a host of other diabetes specialists have partnered with Taking Control of Your Diabetes, a San Diego-based 501(c)3 diabetes education organization, to hold this premier conference and health fair.

"Approximately 6.4% of Montanans are diagnosed with Diabetes, based on 2006 statistics, and approximately 23.7% of Montanans are at risk of getting this deadly disease" states Jennifer Janetski, Diabetes Management and Lifestyle Coach at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Janetski also states that "diabetes is unique in that daily decisions made by the patient have an immediate impact on their health. Education is critical to overcoming this disease and this conference will arm the diabetes patient with the tools to fight back."

TCOYD participants can hear lectures, participate in screenings, and speak one-on-one with diabetes specialists including physicians, exercise specialists, dietitians, diabetes educators, podiatrists, pharmacists and opthalmologists. Shelli Hilde, diabetes advocate and co-director of TCOYD Kalispell said, "The number of lives changed by this overwhelmingly positive program last year brought tears to my eyes, and to many others. I'm so glad TCOYD is back in September." A health fair with 25 informational exhibits from national and local diabetes-related companies and organizations will be open throughout the day.

CONFERENCE SPACE IS LIMITED; pre-registration is recommended. Financial aid is available for those who need assistance. The early registration fee is $20 per person and includes lunch, healthy snacks and all conference activities. If there is any space available, onsite registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. and costs $25. Call ahead to confirm availability. The conference is from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To register or get more information, call 800-998-2693 or visit www.tcoyd.org.

The Kalispell Lions' Walk for Diabetes Awareness will take place at 8 a.m. at the conference site and will conclude in advance of the first TCOYD session. For those who want to participate, visit www.kalispell-lions.org.

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."

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