FRANKLIN
Saturday’s Health and Wellness Expo at the Workforce Center was the first one held in Franklin. The expo was put on by the Diabetes Community Empowerment Program – a program that has now reached Western Tidewater.

A grant from Obici Hospital helped the program come to the area and helped them put on the Expo, because statistics show that Franklin has a high number of residents with diabetes.

Diabetes Community Empowerment Program is free and open to the public.

A person also doesn’t have to have diabetes to be a member. One of its purposes is diabetes prevention.

The entrance of the expo was lined with signs that had facts about diabetes printed on them.

One of these signs said, “Diabetes kills more people than AIDS & breast cancer combined.”

Many members of the community came to the expo on Saturday to participate in the free health screenings, healthy food sampling, door prizes, Zumba and presentations. A complimentary lunch was also provided by Subway.

Avanti Allen – Benson of the American Diabetes Association said, “I am really proud of our members in Franklin. They are doing a wonderful job.”

She also said that the program in Franklin has great partners, Southampton Memorial Hospital, Paul D. Camp Community College and the Martin Luther King. Jr. Community Center.

“The nursing department at PDCCC and the Franklin Department have also been extremely helpful,” Allen – Benson added.

Anyone interested in joining should call the ADA.