FARMINGTON — In observance of Diabetes Awareness Month, Franklin Community Health Network is honoring the diligent people who live healthy lives to assist in controlling their diabetes. Among them are Martin Rigoulot, Dr. Kristine Sanden and Joanne Stinneford, who collectively have 110 years of monitoring their blood sugar while using insulin, striving to eat healthy and staying physically active.

Diabetes is a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action or both. People with diabetes, working together with their support network and their health care providers, can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications.

According to Nancy Thomas, R.N., CDE, “Diabetes affects approximately one in 10 people and is on the rise. New treatments and technologies are continually under development to combat its progression and complications. There are people who work sometimes hourly through many days of their life to control their blood sugars. This day-to-day engagement in self-management is what sets diabetes apart from other health conditions.”

According to Stinneford, who volunteers at Franklin Memorial Hospital, “I have lived with diabetes since the age of 25. I have found that it is an incentive for me to live healthy, eat right and walk every day.”

For individuals living with diabetes, Franklin Memorial Hospital offers diabetes self-management training that provides information to help manage the disease and prevent complications. Certified diabetes educators, care support nurses and a registered clinical dietitian provide the education and services that are certified by the American Diabetes Association. Clients learn about the roles that exercise, nutrition, blood glucose monitoring, medications and stress management play in controlling their diabetes. One-on-one counseling and class structured learning are tailored to need and insurance requirements.

According to Thomas, diabetes education and care is also offered at several Franklin Health practices. To learn if your medical practice provides this service ask your primary care provider. For more information, call 779-2539 or 779-2225.