Diabetes screenings
The American Diabetes Association is offering free screenings to the Effingham County community later this month.
As part of the annual American Diabetes Alert Day, free diabetes risk tests and blood glucose screenings will be offered on Tuesday, March 27 at two locations:
• Harvey’s, 1451 Highway 21 South, Springfield
• YMCA, 1224 Patriot Drive, Rincon
The diabetes risk test asks users to answer simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risks for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Preventative tips are provided for everyone who takes the test, including encouraging those at high risk to talk with their health care provider.
Dana Wright knows all about living with diabetes.
She grew up with a sister who was diagnosed with the disease at age 7. Wright herself was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 15 years ago.
"I just try to live as normal as possible. (Diabetes) is a part of my life," said Wright, the assistant principal at Ebenezer Elementary School.
Diabetes also has affected Wright’s school "family." Ebenezer Middle principal Ramona Lovett, just 34 years old, died in September from complications from diabetes. One of Wright’s students, 6-year-old Abbey Brannen, was diagnosed with type 1 when she was only 21 months old.
"That brings it closer to home," Wright said.
Wright is representing Effingham County this year in Kiss-a-Pig, the largest fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association. If Wright raises the most money among the 12 regional competitors, she will pucker up for Remi the pig at the Kiss-a-Pig Gala in Savannah on May 19.
"I don’t think there’s enough funding for diabetes research," Wright said. "I do believe there’s a cure out there waiting to be discovered — hopefully in my lifetime, certainly I hope in Abbey’s lifetime."
Although she is the youngest member of Wright’s "Hams of Effingham" Kiss-a-Pig team, Abbey already sets a good example of how to live with diabetes. She checks her own blood sugar and knows when her level is high or low.
"It’s a daily struggle, but it’s something we learn together. Even at 6 years old, she knows what she can and can’t do," said Abbey’s mother, Johnsie Brannen.
Wright’s fundraising campaign continues until the gala. To make a donation, go to www.diabetes.org/SavannahKAP2012 and click on her photo.
