LAKEPORT – Join Sutter Lakeside Hospital as they celebrate World Diabetes Day on Nov. 14.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s Wellness Center, 5176 Hill Road East, Lakeport.

Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes.

To promote diabetes awareness, Sutter Lakeside Hospital will host an educational talk open to all community members.

Certified Diabetic Educator Kathy Exum BSN, RN, CDE will give a presentation on how diabetes affects us in our community and others world wide.

Learn simple steps to keep blood sugar levels in check. Ask questions and get answers. Exum will be joined by SLH Wellness Center staff who will lead the group in a low-impact movement class.

The World Diabetes Day campaign calls on all those responsible for diabetes care to understand diabetes and take control. For people with diabetes, this is a message about empowerment through education. For the general public, it is a call to understand the serious impact of diabetes and know, where possible, how to avoid or delay diabetes and its complications.

The key messages of the campaign are: 1) know the diabetes risks and know the warning signs, 2) know how to respond to diabetes and who to turn to, and 3) know how to manage diabetes and take control.

For more information regarding World Diabetes Day please visit www.worlddiabetesday.org or call 707-262-5128.

Kathy Exum BSN, RN, CDE offers diabetes education classes by appointment and with a doctor referral. Classes take place at Sutter Lakeside Hospital. Call 707-262-5128 for more information.

LAKEPORT – Sutter Lakeside Hospital invites the community to join them as they celebrate the delivery of their long-awaited Mobile Health Services Unit (MHSU).

The launch celebration will be held on Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Sutter Lakeside Hospital Healing Gardens.

The MHSU will be open for tours from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by an award ceremony. A proclamation from Congressmen Mike Thompson will read during the ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m.

The MHSU project began over two years ago and is a working example of Sutter Lakeside Hospital fulfilling its mission as a community benefit organization.

“Meeting the health care needs of the community we serve is the cornerstone of Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s not-for-profit mission.” stated Elyse Donald, MD, MHSU program lead and clinical coordinator. “That mission also extends to those who cannot afford health care and to supporting programs and services to those in financial need.”

The MHSU’s focus is to serve primarily seniors who have issues with access to medical care, as well as families with children, and migrant workers.

“It was eye opening for me to learn of all the concerned and committed citizens in our county who are already providing desperately needed services and to see their excitement at the prospect of bringing health care to their clients via the MHSU,” said Dr. Donald.

During the MHSU launch party and ribbon cutting ceremony, the Sutter Lakeside Hospital Foundation would like to acknowledge the hard work of the entire MHSU Program Team who is making our dream a reality. They also have invited American Custom Coach owner Charlie Mello who has worked extremely hard over the past year to build us the most comprehensive mobile unit available.

For more information, please contact the Sutter Lakeside Hospital Foundation at 707-262-5189 or visit us at www.sutterlakeside.org/giving .

LAKE COUNTY – The American Lung Association in California offers free support groups for individuals with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).

Meetings are held monthly in locations around Lake County:

• Clearlake: Third Wednesday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Cardiopulmonary Care Center, Conference Room, 15250 Lakeshore Drive.

• Lakeport: Second Tuesday of the month at 2 p.m. at Sutter Lakeside Hospital's cafeteria back room, 5176 Hill Road East.

For more information, or to speak to a respiratory therapist, please contact the American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA.