The city of Garland, Garland ISD, the American Diabetes Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Garland ISD Student Nutrition Services are teaming up to host a health event Saturday, March 19, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The expo will be held at Garland High School, 310 South Garland Ave. in Garland.
Called Family Voices – Family Choices, the expo will include a variety of free health screenings including glucose, vision, blood pressure and body composition. Health and wellness resources, along with diabetes prevention resources will be available and health professionals will be on-hand for a live question and answer session. Children’s immunizations will be available and the event will include fun activities for the kids. Cooking demonstrations and food samples are scheduled for 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
This is a “don’t miss event” as the number of diabetes cases continues to grow at an alarming rate. The concerning statistics below shine a light on the necessity of events of this type:
Diabetes kills more Americans each year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. ♦ One in 11 Americans has it. ♦ One in three adults is at risk of developing it. ♦ In 
the next 24 hours, more than 130 people will develop kidney failure because of the disease. ♦ Every 19 seconds, someone is diagnosed with the disease. ♦ In the next 24 hours, 4,660 new cases will be diagnosed. ♦ Estimates project that as many as one in three American adults will have diabetes by 2050 unless steps are taken to stop it.
About American Diabetes Association: We lead the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fight for those affected by it. ♦ We fund research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes. ♦ We deliver services to hundreds of communities. ♦ We provide objective and credible information. ♦ We give voice to those denied their rights because of the disease. ♦ Our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by it.