Linda was just six years old when she was diagnosed with diabetes. The first few years were a challenge for Linda and her family. The constant finger pricks and insulin injections, inconsistent blood sugar levels and fears about the future weighed heavily on Linda. The family lived in Florida but had to make monthly trips to South Carolina for treatments.
Thankfully, that changed in 1993 when AdventHealth opened the AdventHealth Diabetes Institute. After hundreds of surgeries, hospitalizations, a kidney and pancreas transplant Linda lost her battle with diabetes in January 2011, at the age of 45. Her family has often wondered what Linda's life would have been like had the AdventHealth Diabetes Institute existed when she was first diagnosed.
Linda's story is not an anomaly. Diabetes is the 6th leading cause of death by disease in America. Your generosity can change the lives of people like Linda.
The generosity of the community has fueled the development of the AdventHealth Diabetes Institute since its opening 20 years ago. We offer one of the nation's most comprehensive diabetes programs with nationally recognized diabetes care, education and research programs.
Your gifts support:
Diabetes screening events - One out of every four Central Florida residents is living with diabetes and does not know they have the disease. Through early detection and education, long-term complications can be averted.
Patient education - Awards over 200 scholarships annually, to the one-third of diabetes patients who have never received diabetic education.
Cooking programs- Provides patients with practical tools to manage diabetes through food preparation and label reading.
Diabetes support groups- Reinforces and provides a deeper understanding of diabetes education and self-management courses. Facilitated by Certified Diabetes Educators and feature expert guest presenters.
To learn more about how you can make a difference visit FloridaHospitalFoundation.org
