Diabetes affects the lives of 23.6 million adults and children in the United States, while an additional 57 million people are estimated to have pre-diabetes. In Iowa, approximately 190,000 people are living with the chronic condition – and these numbers are only expected to increase as the obesity epidemic continues.

Believing that people living with diabetes should be educated and motivated to become their own best advocates, Iowa Diabetes and Endocrinology Center, Mercy Medical Center—Des Moines, Hy-Vee and Iowa Health – Des Moines have partnered with Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) to present a day-long conference and health fair on Saturday, Sept. 25 at the Polk County Convention Complex in Des Moines.

The one-of-a-kind event brings national and local diabetes experts together with people living with the chronic disease – as well as those who are at risk for developing the disease – and their loved ones for a day of highly informative and motivational programs. The 120th consecutive TCOYD conference will feature leading specialists in the field of diabetes—including Steven Edelman, MD, internationally recognized leader in diabetes treatment and Founder and Director of TCOYD; Anuj Bhargava, MD, MBA, CDE, FACP, FACE and Nancy Kane, MD, FACE of the Iowa Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at Mercy Medical Center—Des Moines; Sue Freeman, RN, BSN, CDE of Iowa Methodist Medical Center—Des Moines; and other medical professionals from across the country who will work together to provide special programs and life-changing advice to those living with the disease as well as discuss the latest developments in treatments, the complications of the disease, psychological barriers to controlling diabetes, nutritional issues and much more.

In addition, TCOYD attendees will have the unique opportunity to experiment with different forms of exercise with celebrity fitness trainer from NBC’s The Biggest Loser, Kim Lyons, and the Take the Next Step Program. Attendees will also be able to speak one-on-one with diabetes specialists such as certified diabetes educators, podiatrists, dietitians and more and attend a health fair featuring 50 informational exhibits from national and local diabetes-related companies and organizations. Finally, inspirational speaker and former Miss America 1999, Nicole Johnson, will share her story of living well with diabetes at the banquet-style lunch. SPACE IS LIMITED; pre-registration is recommended. Registration fees are $20 per person and include a banquet-style lunch, healthy snacks and all conference activities. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE BY CALLING TCOYD. On-site registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and is $25. The conference is from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information or to register, call 800-998-2693 or click here .  

TCOYD is a San Diego-based 501c3 charitable diabetes education organization dedicated to informing and empowering people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes to take an active role in their health. This is the fourth event held in Des Moines since the organization’s inception in 1995.

Steven V. Edelman, MD, founder and director of Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD), was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 15. Edelman, an internationally recognized leader in diabetes treatment, research and education, says, "It is my conviction, that health care in this country will improve when the people living with diabetes themselves are informed and empowered to take an active role in their own condition." Dr. Edelman practices and teaches at the VA Medical Center in San Diego, and the University of California, San Diego.

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TCOYD Contact: Julia Baron (858) 755-5683 jbaron@tcoyd.org

Mercy Des Moines Contact: Gregg Lagan (515) 247-3050 or cell (515) 490-6636 glagan@mercydesmoines.org

Iowa Health Contact: Amy Varcoe
 (515) 241-5057 or cell (515) 205-6090 VarcoeAE@ihs.org

Hy-Vee Contact: Deb Fitzgerald (515) 226-8724 1887marketing@hy-vee.com