Those whose lives are touched by diabetes will have the chance to learn more about the disease from a well-known expert at a special meeting of Great Bend’s Diabetes Support Group.

Richard Guthrie, M.D., will be the featured speaker at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18 in the St. Dominic Room at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center. The meeting is open to the public.

Dr. Guthrie has been an endocrinologist for more than 40 years and continues to see patients in Wichita.

"Dr. Guthrie has done many outreach clinics throughout Kansas over the years," said Gloria Siefkes, R.N. and St. Rose diabetes educator. "He is committed to making this a better world for those with diabetes."

Dr. Guthrie’s background also includes involvement in the Diabetes Camp for Kids; authorship of several books about diabetes; insulin research; and presentations on diabetes on national and international levels.

"We encourage anyone with an interest in diabetes to attend Dr. Guthrie’s meeting; you don’t have to have diabetes to attend," Siefkes noted. "Those who have a family member or friend with the disease are encouraged to come. This will enable them to become more closely acquainted with diabetes, which affects more than 350 million people worldwide. It might be safe to say it touches every family in some way.

"Family involvement can make all the difference in the future health and well-being of a loved one with diabetes," Siefkes added. "A family that will eat the same nutritious meals and exercise alongside the patient makes living with diabetes much easier."

Diet and exercise are crucial to regulating blood sugars, Siefkes explained.

A diabetic’s pancreas produces insufficient or no insulin, which is the hormone responsible for absorbing glucose into cells for energy. As a result, glucose levels rise, causing excessive urination, extreme thirst and unexplained weight loss.

Those who attend the Dr. Guthrie meeting are asked to enter St. Rose through the Urgent Care front door. This is just south of the main entrance. Even though there is construction, parking is still available in the main parking lot.

For more information, contact Siefkes by calling 620-786-6457. The St. Dominic Room is in the basement at St. Rose; Siefkes will greet people and direct them to the meeting.