MIAMI – April 18, 2018 – Legendary entertainer Don Francisco returns to the annual Hispanicize event this year to host an engaging and educational panel discussion: Let’s Learn Together with Don Francisco: Understanding the Facts about Type 2 Diabetes on April 18 at 11:00 a.m. ET. The panel discussion, presented by the Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim Diabetes Alliance, is part of a larger initiative called Basado en Hechos, which was launched in 2017 to share facts about type 2 diabetes and help dispel common myths about diabetes care, including insulin treatment.
Don Francisco, who was first diagnosed 17 years ago, will open the discussion by sharing his personal story of living with type 2 diabetes, before moderating a conversation with two well-respected endocrinologists, Gaston M. Ponte M.D., C.C.D., F.A.C.E., Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Central Florida and Dr. Rosemarie Lajara, President and Lead Endocrinologist for Diabetes America, Dallas, Texas. The panel is intended to discuss facts about type 2 diabetes, which affects an estimated 12.1 percent of U.S. Hispanics, and the importance of having conversations with healthcare providers to help those living with type 2 diabetes make informed decisions about their health [1]
“Shortly after being diagnosed, I realized I had a lot to learn about diabetes type 2 and how to take care of myself,” said Don Francisco. “With my own experiences and knowing of this condition’s impact especially within the Hispanic community I joined the Basado en Hechos initiative to help create awareness and educate our community on the importance of diabetes, and so that we take informed decisions on our health alongside our doctors. I’m really happy to return to Hispanicize and to work with two experts to share this important message.”
The panel discussion is open to anyone attending the Hispanicize event, and will take place in the Metropolitan Ballroom, 3rd floor, at the JW Marriott in Miami on April 18 at 11:00 a.m. ET. You can also join the conversation online via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using hashtag #Hispz18.
“In my experience, I have seen firsthand the importance of educating my patients about type 2 diabetes, so I am excited to have the opportunity to join Don Francisco on stage at Hispanicize,” said Dr. Rosemarie Lajara, President and Lead Endocrinologist for Diabetes America, Dallas, Texas. “It is part of my job as a healthcare provider to support and arm my patients with information to help them understand that they can manage their type 2 diabetes so they can live their lives”