Nurse Cartoonist Wins National Diabetes Educator of the Year Award
Jerry Wilson
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Contact: Dawn Swidorski
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415.671.2991
Theresa Garnero
Certified Diabetes Educator
(831) 917-0749
Nurse Cartoonist Wins National Diabetes Educator of the Year Award
Receives Acclaim for Diabetes Cartoons
Monterey, CA -- When nurse, Certified Diabetes Educator and internationally published cartoonist Theresa Garnero noticed people with diabetes struggling with the fear and misconceptions about diabetes, she knew there was a way to ease their apprehension. She authored and illustrated an educational diabetes book of cartoons filled with a rich cast of multicultural characters--just like people with diabetes--and won two prestigious national awards for her efforts.
The American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) selected Garnero as Diabetes Educator of the Year at the national conference held in Indianapolis in August, 2004. She was selected over 10,000 other Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs), a group of professionals which includes physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists and social workers. Garnero also won the Allene Van Son Award for best audiovisual tool which recognizes "diabetes educators who have developed original, outstanding and effective education tools" for her diabetes cartoons used in a transparency form in the Diabetes Program at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula.
As Diabetes Educator of the Year and with the help of a generous $10,000 grant from LifeScan, Garnero will fly across the United States to lecture and collaborate with other CDEs. Her goal is to promote visibility of diabetes educators. "My hope is that the term ?diabetes educator' will be as recognized as any Hollywood movie star," says Garnero. Up to 22 million people have type 2 diabetes and another 41 million people have pre-diabetes, yet less than half ever receive diabetes education from a CDE. Garnero explains that the AADE is, "The leading authority in diabetes self management training and in the lifestyle management for the prevention of diabetes. If it was you or your cherished loved one with diabetes, wouldn't you want to see an expert?"
Ms. Garnero's 60 page book, for which she won the award, "DIABETease: a lighter look at the serious subject of diabetes," presents tips on how to control the disease throughout the 50 color cartoons and resource/definition lists, in an easy-to-read, humorous and validating format. A ladybug mascot, named LadyBetes, narrates the book in an engaging way, sure to appeal to adults and children alike. This innovative book invites readers to learn about how to successfully manage diabetes through accentuating the positive, something Garnero applies in her every day practice and which shines through during her national interviews.
Ms. Garnero donates half of her profits of DIABETease to diabetes research. The retail cost is $16.99 softbound and $34.95 hard cover. The book is available directly from Theresa through her website at www.tgarnero.com or toll free at 1-877-765-4386, or through a variety of booksellers and book distributors including Amazon, Baker and Taylor, Borders, and Booksurge.
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Editor's Note: Theresa Garnero is a certified diabetes educator who writes a regular column for the Defeat Diabetes Foundation E-Lert and also produces a monthly comic for the website and E-Lert. Theresa has just been named Diabetes Educator of the Year.
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