YMCA Southcoast  CEO Gary Schuyler and Vice-President of Operations Nancy Bonell announced a new program to reduce the burden of type 2 diabetes, one of the nation's costliest chronic diseases, at an event held at the New Bedford YMCA"s second floor indoor track on March 25, 2014, Diabetes Alert Day. The Y's Diabetes Prevention Program was described by a series of speakers including YMCA CEO Gary Schuyler, Southcoast Hospitals Certified Diabetes Educator and Exercise Specialist Michael See and Saint Anne's Hospital Certified Diabetes Educator Rose Marie Couto. Based on effective efforts researched by the National Institutes of Health, the program helps people adopt healthy eating and physical activity habits that have been proven to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. YMCA staff provide support and encouragement from both trained lifestyle coaches and fellow classmates to help participants develop a play for improvement and maintenance of overall well-being. For more information, contact Nancy Bonell at 508-996-9622 X 25. (Photos courtesy of Gail Rodrigues) 

(Top row) Southcoast Hospitals Certified Diabetes Educator and Exercise Specialist Michael See talks about the importance of exercise. (Top row, center) New Bedford Y After-school Program Site Coordinator Josh Romao holds photos of himself before and after he lost over 100 pounds through diet and exercise, thus reducing his risk for diabetes. (Top row, right) Greater New Bedford Community Health Center Wellness Connection Director Joyce Dupont talks about the benefits of the program with a staff member at her side. (Middle row, left) American Diabetes Association of New England Director of Mission Delivery Al Whitaker talks about the importance of the new program. (Middle row, center) YMCA CEO Gary Schuyler welcomes the group to the launch at the New Bedford YMCA second floor indoor track. (Bottom row, left) Saint Anne's Hospital Certified Diabetes Educator Rose Marie Couto, R.N. addresses the group before Southcoast Hospitals diabetes patient Judy McIntosh talks about her experiences and the entire group poses for a group photo.