Clayton News Daily

By Mehgaan Jones

mjones@news-daily.com

Southern Regional Medical Center will host the fourth annual Diabetes Health Fair today, an event that will include free screenings, new products, and free samples of foods for diabetics, according to hospital officials.

The fair will take place from 11 a.m., until 2 p.m., in the cafeteria dining area, at Southern Regional Medical Center. The hospital is located at 11 Upper Riverdale Road, in Riverdale.

"This year is different [from past years] ... We are having blood pressure screenings, blood sugar screenings and cholesterol screenings," said Kathy Marshall, clinical manager of diabetes education and outpatient nutrition services. She added that all of the services are free.

According to Marshall, the event is a part of National Diabetes Awareness Month.

"Last year, we had over 200 people at the fair," said Marshall. She said the health fair has grown each year. "We started off with about 50 people at the first fair."

The event is open to the public, and no registration is required, she said.

"We will have several different types of diabetic-friendly foods, such as cookies, syrups, and new artificial sweeteners," she added.

Representatives from companies, such as Dexcom, a glucose sensor company, are scheduled to demonstrate new devices and monitors for diabetes. Marshall said the fair will allow diabetics to see what new products and services are on the market to help manage diabetes.

Fore more information, regarding the Diabetes Health Fair, contact Kathy Marshall at (770) 991-8626.