Centennial Taking Control of Your Diabetes Conference Returns to San Diego to Bring Answers, Advocacy and Hope

Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) conference, lunch and health fair will be held November 22nd from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the San Diego Convention Center, bringing national and local medical experts in diabetes care to people with all types of diabetes, those at risk for diabetes, and their loved ones for a day of highly informative and motivational programs.

TCOYD founder and director Steven Edelman, MD, who has lived with diabetes for 37 years, says “Diabetes is demanding and people’s daily decisions have an immediate impact on their health. At the same time, information about living with diabetes is complex. Education is critical to staying on top of this disease.”

TCOYD is a San Diego-based 501c3 diabetes education organization. This is the 14th annual flagship San Diego program, and 100th in the national series of conferences that the not-for-profit and has presented since 1995. An attendance of more than 2500 is expected at this one-of-a-kind event.

Leading specialists from across the country will offer practical advice and discuss the latest developments in the treatment of diabetes, the complications of the disease, psychological barriers to controlling diabetes, nutritional issues and much more. TCOYD participants can hear lectures, participate in screenings, experiment with some different forms of exercise and speak one-on-one with diabetes specialists including physicians, exercise physiologists, psychologists, pediatricians, researchers, attorneys, dietitians, pharmacists, podiatrists and sleep specialists.

A health fair with 60 informational exhibits from national and local diabetes-related companies and organizations will be open throughout the day. Lunch is included and will feature special guest speakers Doug Burns, who holds bodybuilding titles including Mr. USA and Mr. Universe. Mr. Burns will share his personal story, living well with type 1 diabetes with Nicole Johnson, 1999 Miss America winner and diabetes advocate.

The TCOYD conference will also include an afternoon program for kids and teens with diabetes featuring interactive games and learning opportunities geared toward the young people, as well as sessions for their parents.

Pre-registration is recommended and financial aid is available for those who need assistance. Early registration fees are $35 per person. Registration fees include lunch, healthy snacks, all conference activities and materials. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE BY CALLING TCOYD. Onsite registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and costs $40. The conference is from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To register or get more information, call 800-998-2693 or visit www.tcoyd.org.

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."