Personal story inspires recognition of World Diabetes Day

Nearly losing her husband to Type 1 diabetes several years ago was enough to spur Laura Gilvary into action. Chairing the AdventHealth Foundation Palm Coast’s seventh annual Moonlit Gala in 2016, she became a champion in the battle against diabetes and an advocate for providing those in need with the tools for diagnosis, testing and supplies, supported by her fellow Foundation board members.

From there was born the DiaBEATes Alliance, bringing together organizations like the Flagler Health Department and Flagler Free Clinic, along with supporters from the county’s municipalities, school district and private businesses. Recognizing Nov. 14 as World Diabetes Day, Gilvary is proud of the collaborative effort to educate and assist those living with diabetes.

“John Gilvary is the purpose behind this mission,” Laura said. “I almost lost him to Type 1 diabetes about seven years ago now, and given some of the care he received in local facilities, it made me want to get involved and help move forward care for diabetics in the community in which we live.”

Marking the globally recognized day on Saturday, friends and supporters gathered at City Hall in Palm Coast, where chairman of the AdventHealth Hospital and Hospice Care Foundations, Tony Papandrea, opened the event by thanking the community for their investment in the health and well-being of those in need.

“Without Laura, this would not happen. The DiaBEATes Alliance is a partnership with many tentacles that are community-inspired,” said Papandrea. “We’re trying to create awareness, provide educational materials and actually have some people treated for diabetes.”

Sharing a personal story about his own wife, Dorothy, beating Type 2 diabetes, he’s seen firsthand the benefits of preventative and self-care through diet and exercise.

“My wife’s success was amazing,” Papandrea said. “She was well into Type 2 diabetes. Through our primary care doctor and diet, she did beat that Type 2 diabetes. If my wife can do it, anyone can do it.”

Breaking into small groups, those ready to exercise took a lap around the lake in Central Park, while others added cardio to their day, led by MPower Fitness instructor Brandi Jaeger.

The International Diabetes Federation estimates that nearly one in 11 people, 463 million adults worldwide, were living with diabetes in 2019. In 2018, the CDC estimated that 13% of adults living in the U.S. had diabetes, and which nearly 3% of those individuals were undiagnosed.

Laura Gilvary reminds the public that others may not even yet realize they are diabetic or prediabetic, but getting checked is a first step.

“On average they say 25 percent, if we use national numbers, there are about 31 million diabetics in the nation and 89 million who are prediabetic or do not know,” she said. “Today is about awareness. We want to bring people in from the community, make them aware of their own physical health and well-being. The biggest game changer for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics would be to be the best and healthiest version of yourself, which requires good eating habits and exercise.”

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Personal story inspires recognition of World Diabetes Day

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