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You Can Help
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You
can make a difference in the lives of more than 70,000
Tucsonans each year with your gift to the El Rio
Foundation.
Donate
Now |
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TOUR
El RIO
Contact
us for a behind-the-scenes private tour at one of El
Rio's
15
locations city-wide.
Brenda
Goldsmith
520.205.4947
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14th
Annual
El Rio
Foundation
Golf
Tournament
in
honor of Louie Castro
Friday, May 16,
2008
11:30
am
Canoa Ranch Golf Club Green Valley
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Thanks to Our
Sponsors
Ashton Family
Foundation
Food City
United
Healthcare
Pantano Vista
Qwest
Chestnut
Construction
Metro Restaurants
Michael R. Wattis,
Inc.
National Bank of Arizona
Pella
Corporation
Saunders & Amos,
LLC
More
Information |
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SURVEY
Please
tell us what you think of this newsletter - Your opinion
matters!
Take Our
Survey |
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Contact
Us
Brenda
Goldsmith
Executive
Director
520.205.4948
brendag@elrio.org
Jill
Rodriguez
Development
Coordinator
Media
Relations
520.309.2294
jillr@elrio.org
Fernando
Ascencio
Development
Associate
520.205.4947
fernandoa@elrio.org
www.elrio.org
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Any
errors in the content of this e-newsletter are
unintentional.
Please contact us with your
comments/corrections at
FernandoA@elrio.org
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"Gramma
feels so good now! We ran a race and she almost
won!"
A
Success Story from the El Rio Diabetes Prevention
Program
My
name is Hortensia. I am 61 years old, divorced with five
children. I taught school for 30 years. Teaching took a
lot of physical and mental energy and it was exciting.
But I had no time for myself.
Finally, I retired
in 2006 because I was always tired physically. I had
been a diabetic for 9 years, had high blood pressure and
was recovering from cancer. I was taking 14 pills a day.
I realized that I needed to do something for my own
health, or else. I didn't like the "or else," so I
promised myself I would learn to live a healthy
life-mind, body and soul.
I didn't know where to
start so I joined the senior citizens' walking group at
the indoor track at the El Pueblo Activity Center. I
felt shy walking the track because everyone looked so
young and healthy. I felt like an old Gramma. Then, I
noticed two promotores walking the track and talking
with everyone. I learned that Salvador's and
Josefina's platicas focused on preventing diabetes. So I
got excited and joined in.
Here were two people
who spoke my language, grew up like I did and were such
experts on health. They quickly included me in their
diabetes prevention program. I learned so much on
how to stay healthy, how to maintain my weight and how I
myself could take control of my own life.
By now,
my marriage had ended. I thought my life was over.
However, Josefina and Salvador continued to
be my "cheerleaders." They always had a hug, a kind work
for me and compassion in their eyes.
I am amazed at
the change in my life! Today, I have lost about 50
pounds and the last ones were the hardest. I am off the
14 pills and I only need to take a diabetes pill and a
high blood pressure pill a day. My doctor has promised
he will take me off both these pills if I continue to
walk, watch my diet and lose the last 10 pounds.
I feel that my life has changed. I
sleep well (no more pesadillas) and I feel alive. I can
walk up to 6 miles a day. Back on the first day of this
program, I "crawled" one lap around the track. I feel as
if God has given me a new lease on life. My grandson of
4 years keeps telling everyone "Gramma feels so good
now! We ran a race and she almost won!"
I feel
excited that my life is back on track. I now have back
the excitement and enthusiasm that I had as a young
teacher. I am ready to live fully, not just exist.
Thank you for your kindness, compassion, healthy
food boxes, but above all, for sharing all your health
knowledge about diabetes prevention, nutrition and how
to get well emotionally. I am ready for my new life-
mind, body and soul.
Hortensia, an El
Rio Patient
9 de enero, 2008
You can make a difference for
people with diabetes. For more information, call
the Diabetes Prevention Program at 520.979.1378.
Donate
Now
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Bank
of America
Foundation
Gives $250,000 to Help People with
Diabetes
El
Rio Foundation started the New Year off with a "bang" by
receiving largest single gift to date from the Bank of
America
Foundation.
The
Bank of America Charitable Foundation has granted a
$250,000 gift to El Rio Foundation for expansion of its
nationally recognized Pharmacy-Based Diabetes Program.
This is the largest single gift the El Rio Foundation
has received in its five-year
history.
According to El Rio Foundation
Director Brenda
Goldsmith (pictured far right, above),
"This
transformational program benefits low-income, primarily
Hispanic men, women and a growing number of children and
youth diagnosed with Type II diabetes. With Bank
of America's
help, we will promote healthy families which in turn
drives the economic workforce and overall success of our
community."
El
Rio currently serves 8,000 patients with Type II
diabetes and there is a waiting list of several months
for the program. With the gift from Bank of America we
will increase services so that an additional 100-200
people will have access to this life-changing program.
Many El Rio patients suffer from diabetes and
this treatment model has been very effective.
Despite the proven success, the Diabetes Program is such
a new concept that it has not yet been funded by any
other revenue sources. The support from nationally
recognized partners like Bank of America Foundation is a
critical wake-up call, demonstrating to medical insurers
that they should consider supporting this program. The
cost benefits are substantial, not to mention the
increased quality of life. And you can't put a
price tag on that.
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El
Rio's Quick Tip for Wellness
Small
changes in your lifestyle can help prevent diabetes and
many other medical problems AND help you feel
better
Stay at a healthy
weight.
To keep your weight in a healthy
range, focus on permanent changes to your eating and
exercise habits. Involve other family members as well.
Motivate yourself by remembering the benefits of losing
weight, such as a healthier heart, more energy and
improved self-esteem.
Low-carb, high-protein or
other fad diets may help you lose weight at first, but
they're not likely to help you maintain a healthy weight
in the long run. And by excluding or strictly limiting a
particular food group, you may be giving up essential
nutrients. Instead, think variety and portion
control as part of an overall healthy-eating plan.
Choose healthy foods low in fat and calories, including
fruits, vegetables and various lean foods from the other
major food groups.
Diabetes
Screening
The American Diabetes
Association recommends blood glucose screening for
everyone at age 45. If you're overweight with one or
more additional risk factors for type 2 diabetes - such
as a sedentary lifestyle or a family history of diabetes
- ask your provider about getting tested even
earlier.
Contact the El Rio
Diabetes Prevention Program at
520.979.1378.
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