Oaklawn-sponsored events to focus on prevention of type 2 diabetes

Two area events in November will be of interest to those with diabetes and their families and friends, according to Timira Perry, Oaklawn’s diabetes education coordinator.

A presentation about specific types of foods that can help prevent type 2 diabetes will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at Homer United Methodist Church, 101 E. Adams St., Homer.

That presentation will be offered by Perry, who is a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator since 2003 and coordinator of Oaklawn’s program, and Mary Jo Lakatos, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at Oaklawn Hospital.

Their talk will focus on certain key recommended plants, Perry said.

“We call them ‘The Three Sisters,’” she said. “They’re some main agricultural crops of Native American groups, specifically winter squash, maize – which most people call corn – and climbing beans. They’re three inseparable plants that grow and thrive together.”

The same topic will be discussed at a gathering of the Marshall Diabetes Support Group, to be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, in Oaklawn Hospital’s main lobby at 200 N. Madison St., Marshall.

Both events are open to the public without charge, and it is not necessary to be a member of the support group to attend.

For additional information about the November events, contact Perry at (269) 789-8972 ortperry@oaklawnhospital.com.

“I’ve seen how diabetes education provided through our program has helped improve the lives of people dealing with this disease,” said Perry, who described diabetes as “a growing epidemic.” Diabetes affects 30 million Americans, she said.

Since the program began in 2010, about 1,650 people – most of them adults – have been helped through Oaklawn’s program, Perry estimated. The program grew out of a series of instructional classes offered by the hospital since 1999, she added.