Are you living with diabetes?  Would you like to learn more about some of the ways to control your blood sugar?

On Monday, November 26, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Ruth Charne, who has diabetes herself, understands the challenges diabetics face and will present a free program entitled, “Take Control and Live Well with Diabetes.”

She will talk about some of the ways to control your blood sugar, which may help reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications.   “It is worth the effort to keep your blood sugar in control,” Charne says.

Charne is a A1C Champions®. They are people who have diabetes and have learned to successfully manage it. They have walked in your shoes and understand what it’s like living day-to-day with diabetes – and they want you to know that you are not alone in your journey with diabetes. Champions share personal diabetes stories, provide support and give practical advice to help motivate you to make healthy lifestyle choices and strive to reach your blood sugar goals.

This is a free presentation, including a buffet dinner, but space is limited so please pre-register by calling Sumer Higgins at 930-2650, or e-mail her at shiggins@wcgh.org.

 The presentation will take place at Waldo County General Hospital’ sEducation Center.

In anticipation of The Great American Smoke-out on Thursday, Nov. 15, Waldo County General Hospital is offering two educational sessions to help tobacco users who want to quit. 

By quitting, smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk. Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in theUnited States.

Quitting is difficult, but chances for success are increased by getting help. On Monday, Nov. 5, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and again on Thursday, Nov. 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., WCGH pharmacist Nancy Nystrom will discuss medication options for quitting while Barbara CrowleyRN will talk about coming up with a quit plan and will offer some quit tips.

The Nov. 5 session will be held in the Education Center, beside the hospital, while the Nov. 8 workshop will be in the hospital’s classroom on the bottom floor.

For more information, call Barbara Crowley at 930-2650.

Phase 3 Cardiac Rehab from Waldo County General Hospital on Vimeo.

Learn about the benefits of phase 3 cardiac rehab, our open house and cardiac rehab 5k.

To help people who believe this is the right time for them to quit smoking, the American Cancer Society’s quit-smoking program, Freshstart, is being offered at no charge on Thursdays, April 26, and May 3, 10 and 17, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the new two-story building across the street from Waldo County General Hospital.

Freshstart is designed for the adult smoker and emphasizes that smoking cessation is a two-step process: stopping and staying stopped. Therefore, techniques and support are shared to help keep a smoker off cigarettes.

The program is free and addresses the variety of reasons people smoke: physical addiction, habit and psychological dependency.

For more information and to register for these free classes, call 930-2650 and leave your name and telephone number. A minimum of four participants are needed to hold the class.

The classes are sponsored by Healthy Waldo County and Waldo County General Hospital.