HEADLINES
	Brighton's "Light The Night" for Diabetes
	2003 Max Osceola Sr. Memorial Golf Tournament
	Ft. Pierce Community gathers for Ribbon Cutting and Ground Breaking
	Macho Night at the Creek
	Garrett Anderson Hits the Football Field ... and the Books
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By Emma Brown
BRIGHTON — On Nov. 20, the Seminole Health Department hosted the “Light the Night” walk and dinner on the Brighton Reservation. Community members, diabetics, non-diabetics, staff and the Health Department gathered at the Brighton gymnasium for the festivities.
The month of November is designated as National Diabetes Awareness Month. The Seminole Tribe Health Department works extra hard promoting diabetes prevention during this time.
Upon arrival, each person received a t-shirt, glowing necklace, and lighted balloons. Once the crowd was gathered and glowing, Health Director Connie Whidden led the group out of the parking lot and into the community. Traffic was stopped while the glowing walkers, wheel chairs, and strollers made their way down the street in support of diabetes prevention. There was a glowing line for at least ½ a mile as everyone completed the walk at their own pace.
Once the group made their way back to the starting point, Pastor Wonder Johns asked a special blessing and everyone released their balloons together. Once the blessing was asked and the balloons were out of sight, a very nice dinner was served as Jack Micco entertained the crowd by playing his violin and setting the perfect tone for the evening.
Beth Skinner, the nutritionist for the Brighton Reservation talked to the crowd about a new medical term called PRE-DIABETES. She explained that doctors have found that Pre-Diabetes is more serious than thought to be. As your blood sugar creeps up higher, the sweeter blood does damage to your blood vessels (like those in your heart, kidneys, and eyes). This increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Everyone should have their blood sugar tested and know their numbers: *Ideally, your fasting blood sugar should be less than 110. * If it is a little higher, between 110-126, it is too high and you should be checked for Pre-Diabetes. * If you’re fasting blood sugar is higher than 126, more than once, then you need to be tested for diabetes.
Beth went on to explain that “Pre-Diabetes is the warning light in your car that comes on when you are almost out of gas, and ultimately if you don’t do something about it, you may run out before it is too late! She said that with exercise and proper diet you can prevent this disease from attacking your body.
These two simple lifestyle changes have been shown to be twice as effective as a pill. The “Light the Night” program is very symbolic to diabetes prevention, and helps send a strong message to Seminole communities. The Health Department did a fantastic job with this year’s Brighton Light the Night walk and dinner, and should be commended for their continued effort at preventing diabetes in the Seminole communities.
If you have any questions about Pre-Diabetes or diabetes, please visit your local health Seminole health clinic.