Grand Haven Womens Association Learns About Diabetes; Donates $1K to Florida Hospital Flagler

PALM COAST, Fla., November 22, 2016 On Nov. 14, Florida Hospital Flagler internal medicine physician Dr. Haroldo Melo spoke to 130 women at the Grand Haven Womens Association about the signs and symptoms of diabetes.

The day marked World Diabetes Day, an international day of recognition of the growing concerns and escalating health threat posed by diabetes.

Almost 30 million American children and adults have diabetes. An additional 86 million are living with prediabetes, Melo said. This is a national epidemic and a serious concern because diabetes can lead to complications including heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney disease, amputations, and even, sadly, death. If current trends continue, as many as one in three American adults will have diabetes by 2050.

At the event, the Grand Haven Womens Association presented a check for $1,000 to support the Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation diabetes fund. These funds will help raise awareness for this disease, as well as expand education, support and resources within the Flagler County community.

Our members are so supportive of our community and are excited to have contributed to this very worthy cause, said Karen Finder, Grand Haven Womens Club president.

We are so thankful for this generous donation. The Grand Haven Womens Club does such good work for so many in our community, and these funds will help so many people, said John Subers, Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation executive director. It's estimated that one in three people will develop diabetes in their lifetime. When you consider this, as well as the fact that medical costs for those with diabetes is twice as high as those who do not have diabetes, and that the risk of death for adults with diabetes is 50 percent higher than adults without diabetes, it is easy to see why diabetes is such an important cause for our community. It is important that we do all we can to help raise awareness about this life-threatening disease.

About Florida Hospital Flagler

Florida Hospital Flagler is a member of AdventHealth, a faith-based health care organization with 46 hospital campuses and nearly 8,200 licensed beds in 10 states. With 99-beds, Florida Hospital Flagler is one of the six Florida Hospitals in Volusia and Flagler counties that composes the Florida Hospital East Florida Region. As the largest hospital system in the area, the Florida Hospital East Florida Region has 907 beds and nearly 6,000 employees. With a mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ, the Florida Hospital East Florida Region collectively contributed nearly $120 million in benefits in 2015 to the underprivileged, the community's overall health and wellness and spiritual needs, and capital improvements. For more information about Florida Hospital Flagler, visit www.FloridaHospitalFlagler.com.