The Edward Smith Mineola Lions Club funded a $100,000 grant to the center to support the implementation of what is described by hospital officials as a unique program, entitled ³Lifestyle Balance to Prevent Diabetes: A Pre-Diabetes Intervention Program,² designed to promote lifestyle changes among individuals with pre-diabetes. The goal is to help stem the alarming rise in type 2 diabetes cases.
Pre-diabetes occurs when blood-glucose levels are higher than normal ‹ 100 to 125 mg/dl after fasting for at least eight hours ‹ but are not high enough to be classified as having type 2 diabetes. A person who is not treated for pre-diabetes may soon develop type 2 diabetes and is also at increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Behavior modification such as changing food choices, engaging in regular physical activity and losing weight may delay or even prevent type 2 diabetes in individuals with pre-diabetes. Not everyone who has pre-diabetes is considered overweight. Therefore, a personalized program that is tailored to an individual¹s unique needs is critical to success.
Lifestyle Balance to Prevent Diabetes is the only program of its kind in the New York Metropolitan area, providing a comprehensive educational experience that offers counseling to pre-diabetic individuals to encourage weight control, healthy food choices and regular physical activity.
³Recent studies indicate that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed in those with pre-diabetes,² said Virgina Peragallo-Dittko, director of Winthrop¹s Diabetes Education Center. ³The Winthrop pre-diabetes program offers practical information about food products, strategies for eating out and realistic exercise habits.²
The Roslyn Savings Foundation and Melville Lions provided funding during the pilot phase, and The Edward Smith Mineola Lions have made an enduring commitment to the program, according to Winthrop officials.
For more information on Winthrop-University Hospital¹s Diabetes Education Center and its comprehensive programming, call (516) 663-2350.
St. John¹s to hold blood drive
In response to the New York Blood Center recently announcing that its blood supply reached emergency levels, St. John¹s Episcopal Hospital, at 327 Beach 19th St. in Far Rockaway, has scheduled a blood drive for Feb. 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., in the hospital boardroom. As a ³thank you² for donating blood, Valentine¹s Day chocolates will be given away.
Donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. Those more than 75 years of age may continue to donate blood if they meet all donor criteria and present a physician¹s letter allowing them to donate.
Before donating, donors should eat at their regular mealtimes and drink plenty of fluids. They must also bring photo identification to the blood drive.
For more information about the drive, contact St. John¹s Episcopal Hospital at (718) 869-7326.
