SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – In observance of National Diabetes Awareness month, the Regional West Physicians Clinic-Diabetes Care Center invites the public to a free, educational forum about diabetes. The forum will feature an informal question and answer session with Diabetes Care Center endocrinologist Jaroslaw Aniszewski, MD.

It will be held Tuesday, November 26 from 6 to 7 p.m. in Suite 1202 at Regional West Medical Plaza South, 3911 Avenue, Scottsbluff.

Dr. Aniszewski is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes. He and nurse practitioner Mayda Zimmerman, APRN-C, and their staff provide care and disease management for patients with diabetes and other metabolic disorders at The Diabetes Care Center.

Diabetes affects nearly 26 million Americans and an estimated 79 million people are at risk for developing the disease. For people living with diabetes or at risk for type 2 diabetes, family support is critical to staying healthy.

Diabetes is a challenging disease that affects the entire family in many ways. For people with diabetes and their families, it’s important to work together to manage diabetes and prevent serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney disease that can lead to amputation. People with diabetes who have a strong family support system are better able to cope with the day-to-day challenges associated with the disease.

It’s important to know that having a family history of diabetes, such as a mother, father, brother or sister with type 2 diabetes puts one at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is that you—and your family—can take small, but important steps to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes. To learn more about the signs, symptoms and living with diabetes, be sure to attend this free forum.

The November 26 forum will be the final Diabetes Support Group meeting of 2013.

Regional West Health Services is the parent company for Regional West Medical Center and Regional West Physicians Clinic. These organizations, with over 1,800 employees, provide comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, the Regional West family of health care organizations offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties.