Y to ‘boot out diabetes’ on Monday
Published 8:28 pm Saturday, November 12, 2016
The Suffolk Family YMCA will be filled with diabetes awareness on Monday.
The YMCA, with other branches in the area, will hold Diabetes Awareness Day on Monday in conjunction with World Diabetes Day. Special events, classes and diabetes screenings will take place all day.
“We believe in partnering up with our communities and doing our part to create a healthier community,” said Anna Guibas, diabetes prevention program coordinator. “We want anyone who’s interested to come in. It’s going to be a fun event. Together, we can help our families and friends know if they are at risk.”
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., A1C screenings will be available, provided by Eastern Virginia Medical School. The test provides information about a person’s average levels of blood glucose over the past three months, and the result can alert a person to diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Many people with diabetes are unaware that they have it, Guibas said. An early diagnosis can help a person manage or reverse the disease and prevent serious side effects.
Lifestyle coaches will be available at the Y from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday. They will be available to talk about how participants can make lifestyle changes to manage their diabetes or lower their risk.
From 6:15 to 7:15 p.m., a family boot camp for ages 8 and up will take place, titled “Boot Out Diabetes.”
Other group exercise classes throughout the day with have a diabetes-prevention theme, such as the cycling classes’ “Spin to Win Over Diabetes.” The group exercise classes are available to ages 13 and up with a parent.
Drawings for raffle prizes will take place throughout the day as well.
All of the activities are free and open to the public, regardless of whether they have a YMCA membership.
Call the YMCA at 934-9622 for more information.