According to the World Health Organization, diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases in the world today, currently affecting over 450 million people, including children. Joining the fight against diabetes, the Warrenton Lions Club sponsored a Diabetes Awareness Workshop on December 6, 2018 at the Visitors Center in Warrenton, VA. The workshop was open to the community and was attended by diabetics and non-diabetics, regular members and new recruits, and Lions Club sponsors.
Dr. Margaret Rowe, PharmD, a pharmacist with Remington Drug Co., was the guest speaker. She is an education program coordinator and instructor, and works to help diabetics self-manage their disease. Dr. Rowe also works as a volunteer diabetes counselor at the Fauquier Free Clinic in Warrenton, VA. She provided valuable information about the identification, treatment and management of the three main types of diabetes – gestational diabetes and types 1 and 2 diabetes. The questions asked throughout the session demonstrated that the attendees were quite focused on understanding the content. Dr. Rowe began the workshop pointing out the difference between the types of diabetes. Her presentation covered topics such as ageing and increased risk; how to balance your meals; why exercise is important; the eyes, heart and kidney connection; and daily management of diabetes. In closing, Dr. Rowe expressed passionately the importance of getting children started on healthy diets and maintaining those diets as adults. The participants were able to take home a wealth of material for more detailed information.
