BRIDGTON – The Bridgton Hospital diabetes clinic will offer a special presentation called the A1C Champions Program, sponsored by sanofi-aventis, from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 19. The A1C Champions are individuals who successfully control their diabetes and want to help others do the same.

The A1C Champion speaker will be Ruth Charme of Brooklyn, N.Y., who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1986. She will talk about the importance of taking control of diabetes.

In 2003, sanofi-aventis launched the A1C Champions program to help those with diabetes overcome the challenges and learn the importance of controlling their diabetes.

A1C Champions individuals give presentations to people with diabetes, their families and friends. The presentations offer people information on diabetes and how to achieve blood sugar control, suggestions and encouragement.

“A1C Champions serve as role models to other diabetes patients and provide a support system that encourages patients to take control of the disease,” said Elaine Drew, RN, Bridgton Hospital’s certified diabetes educator. “There is a huge need for compassionate patient mentors. Diabetes is a complicated disease and too many patients aren’t taking care of themselves, which puts them at risk for serious diabetes-related complications.”

The American Diabetes Association recommends that, in general, people with diabetes strive for an A1C (a test that measures average blood glucose levels over a two- to three-month period) of less than 7 percent.

A 2005 survey commissioned by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists found that 84 percent of people with type 2 diabetes surveyed believed they were doing a good job controlling their blood sugar, even though 61 percent went on to say they did not know what an A1C test is.

The Bridgton Hospital Diabetes Clinic was recently awarded the American Diabetes Association education recognition certificate for its diabetes self-management education program. To register for the free presentation, contact Elaine Drew, RN/CDE, at 647-6060.