The American Diabetes Association's (ADA) annual Victory Over Diabetes (VOD) program is moving to the Georgia International Convention Center on Saturday, August 26 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Spotlighting self-empowerment to promote diabetes wellness, VOD is the ADA's African American program that offers 20 workshops throughout the day on diabetes education and management. The event will conclude with a cooking demonstration by Roniece Weaver, RD, LD and Fabiola Demps Gaines, RD, LD, co-authors of “The New Soul Food Cookbook for People with Diabetes - Second Edition” published by the ADA.

VOD will also provide on-site health screenings, exhibits, and one-on-one opportunities for attendees to ask questions about diabetes. The ADA bookstore will be available, as well as information on advocacy, research and special events. This event is open to persons living with diabetes, diabetes educators, their family members and or caregivers.

For the last few years, the event was held at the Holiday Inn Select in Decatur. However, due to the growing number of attendees, the ADA moved VOD to the Georgia International Convention Center and is expecting more than 700 participants.

"Victory Over Diabetes was developed several years ago as a part of Project Power, a national ADA initiative that sponsors Diabetes Sunday geared towards African American churches," said Atlanta ADA Leadership Council Chairman Michael Julian Bond. "Thirteen percent of African Americans in this country aged 20 years or older have this disease." This program offers a unique opportunity to reach this important population of people with diabetes.

Pre-registration is $10 per person and after August 20, $15 per person. Partial scholarships are available for those who qualify. To register for VOD, visit www.diabetes.org/vod or call the ADA at 1-888-DIABETES ext. 3085.

login to post comments