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11/6/2023
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Rep. Diaz to celebrate World Diabetes Day, will present Blue Light Award for access to diabetes care
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STATE HOUSE — Rep. Grace Diaz (D – Dist. 11, Providence), along with the Rhode Island World Diabetes Day team, will mark World Diabetes Day on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick to spread awareness about the effects and prevention of diabetes.
The event, which is funded in part by a $7,500 legislative grant from Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) on behalf of the House of Representatives, was created to positively impact the growing diabetes epidemic in the state by building a coalition of community members who work toward reducing the burden of prediabetes and diabetes in Rhode Island. In addition, the dome of the State House will be illuminated in blue all week in honor of National Diabetes Month.
The program will include presentations, updates and panel discussions, as well as a keynote address on living with diabetes by chef and restaurateur Sam Choy in partnership with Novo Nordisk.
Representative Diaz will present the Grace Diaz Blue Light Award, which is given annually to an individual or organization that has made a positive difference in diabetes prevention and care in Rhode Island.
In keeping with this year’s theme, “Access to Diabetes Care,” the award will be presented to those who have shown a commitment to providing access to diabetes care, including Krystal Bevilacqua, Kenny Correia, Alex Gianfrancesco, Patricia Hoffman, Lillian Nieves, Bradford Pease and Kelley Doherty Sanzen.
Closing remarks will be given by Rhode Island World Diabetes Day co-chairs Deborah Newell and Megan Sheridan.
Diabetes is growing at an epidemic rate in the United States. Nationwide, more than 30 million Americans have diabetes according to the American Diabetes Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The annual event is an opportunity to increase awareness about diabetes as a potentially devastating disease both locally and nationally. Ultimately, the event seeks to empower people to manage their own health while living with diabetes and pre-diabetes.
Representative Diaz said it’s important to shed light on the growing number of minority groups affected by the disease.
“As a former diabetes educator, I am aware of the struggle many of these patients go through when they are diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes,” the representative said. “I am also aware of the growing problem in our minority communities, where information about the effects of this disease may not be as accessible as it should be. I am hoping this event will change that, and give people an opportunity to learn about support opportunities and prevention.”
Diabetes is a chronic, life-threatening illness that affects about 20 million Americans and more than 106,000 Rhode Islanders, according to the state Department of Health. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce hormone insulin. The more common Type 2 is defined as the body’s inability to produce or use insulin efficiently. Both types are marked by high levels of blood sugar.
World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated every year on Nov. 14 in order to keep the terrible illness in the public spotlight. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2007.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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