The Third Diabetes Day in the Country is scheduled to be held on Saturday on the grounds of the Medical Center in Sicily Island from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The theme this year for the event is “A Family Affair.” The theme was chosen first of all because the disease can be hereditary in families and secondly, if a member of the family is diagnosed with diabetes, it usually affects the whole family in one way or another.

The major focus for the Diabetes Day in the Country will be health care prevention and screening activities. Numerous agencies from around the surrounding area will be participating in the event and providing the following screening tests at not cost to participants that day: glucose, eye, hearing, bone density, diabetic foot, hemoglobin A1c, dental, cholesterol, blood pressure and depression.

For participants to get the most accurate results, fasting for at least 10 hours is recommended prior to having the screening done. LifeShare Blood Center will also be on the grounds that day holding a blood drive.

Colon Care Kits will be available for participants to pick up that day and there will be numerous educational exhibits set up for viewing and lots of information to pick up for reading later.

Live entertainment throughout the day will include performers The Christian Aires, Sicily Island Choir of Faith, Dr. Meade, The Jordan Family, The Cloggers, Gerald Huffman and Ben King.

A party jumper and other activities for kids will be set up, as well as groups selling refreshments like barbeque dinners, fish, hamburgers, etc. Door prizes will be given away every hour from the stage.

Diabetes is a serious disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin properly.

Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy. Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States, and it has no cure.

According to the 2000 Louisiana Health Report Card, about 365,000 or 8.4 percent of Louisiana residents 20 years and older have diabetes.

Of the people with diabetes, 32 percent are undiagnosed or not aware that they have the disease and for that reason are not receiving the needed medical treatment to prevent or delay the onset of complications.

More than 1 million additional people may be at increased risk for diabetes because of the risk factors of age, obesity and sedentary lifestyle.

Your risk for diabetes increases as you get older, gain too much weight or if you do not stay active.

Diabetes is more common in African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Other risk factors include having high blood pressure (at or above 130/80), having a family history of diabetes and having diabetes during pregnancy or having a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth.

Diabetes Day in the Country is the perfect event to attend and determine your risk for Diabetes.

And for those already diagnosed, it is a great opportunity to get better educated about the disease. As they say, there is no time like the present. We’ll be looking for you on Saturday in Sicily Island.

Terri Crawford works for the LSU AgCenter.