On Saturday, March 3, the Jim Cook Day of Hope for Diabetes^® returns for a day of information and education that is open to all – and free. Sponsored by the Desert Diabetes Club, the event includes a product fair showcasing the latest technology and treatments for persons with diabetes, along with a variety of speakers. Medical screenings will also be available to all attendees at this year’s event.

In a report released this year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 100 million U.S. adults are now living with diabetes or prediabetes. The report also found that as of 2015, 30.3 million Americans, or 9.4 percent of the U.S. population, have diabetes. Another 84.1 million have prediabetes, a condition that if not treated often leads to type 2 diabetes within five years. The statistics are staggering which is why education is vital for people living with diabetes, as well as for those who want to live a life free of the disease.

For individuals with type 1 diabetes whose pancreas is no longer capable of producing insulin, education is equally important.

The keynote address for this year’s event entitled, “Research Focus: Islet Cell Transplantation, Type 1 Diabetes, Sexual Dysfunction,” will be given by Fouad R. Kandeel, MD, PhD, Chair and Professor of the Department of Clinical Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at City of Hope in Los Angeles.

Dr. Kandeel is the principal investigator on the islet transplantation trial to determine the safety and efficacy of islet cell transplantation as a treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes. In addition, Dr. Kandeel recently concluded a clinical project to identify genes related to the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the Hispanic population. He also continues to oversee the Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Program, which he established several years ago at City of Hope. Due to his strong background in endocrine tumors and thyroid cancer, Dr. Kandeel participates in the development of the national guidelines for the management of neuroendocrine tumors.

Experts from Eisenhower Medical Center and Eisenhower’s Diabetes Education Program will also speak about the latest research and information on various diabetes-related topics.

Jim Cook Day of Hope for Diabetes^® will take place from 8a.m. to 12:30p.m. at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower in Rancho Mirage. For more information on the event or the Desert Diabetes Club, please call (760) 773.1578, or visit emc.org/ddc. Reservations for the event are not required.

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