POTSDAM -- Canton-Potsdam Hospital offers free type 2 diabetes pre-screenings and education to the public on Tuesday, March 22 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. just outside the cafeteria on the first floor of the main hospital at 50 Leroy Street.

The American Diabetes Association designates the fourth Tuesday in March as Alert Day, a “wake-up” call asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test.

In the spirit of Alert Day, the cafeteria will display full nutritional value of menu items. “This is a way to raise awareness of how diabetics look at food choices,” said Hospital Dietitian Elizabeth Isenberg. “Daily exercise, proper nutrition, and routine screenings are all extremely important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially for those at risk for diabetes. It’s not going to cure the disease, but it will significantly improve a person’s quality of life,” added Isenberg.

In addition to screenings and education, Canton-Potsdam Hospital is encouraging people who use needles (for insulin or medication), to take advantage of its “Sharps” program. While sealed heavy duty laundry detergent bottles are acceptable as a method to collect and dispose of sharps (needles and sticks), using clearly designated red sharps containers is the safest mode of collection. Containers are available by request at the registration desk, switchboard, or from any hospital staff member. Sealed full containers can be dropped off at the switchboard of the main hospital 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

Interested individuals who are not able to attend the event at the main campus on March 22 can have their pre-screening done at any one of the hospital’s off-site health care centers including Brasher Falls Community Health Center (Route 11C, Brasher Falls); Family Health Center (190 Outer Main, Potsdam); PrimeCare Health Center (12 Elm Street, Potsdam); Norfolk Community Health Center (35 West Main, Norfolk); Afterhours Center (80 East Main Street, Canton).

Individuals not mobile enough to attend an onsite screening, should consider calling Mr. Leitstein to be screened over the phone.

For more information on pre-screenings, contact Harris Leitstein at 261-5393. For directions, maps, phone numbers, and more information on health services available through Canton-Potsdam Hospital, visit www.cphospital.org.