(ARA) – Anyone diagnosed with diabetes may find themselves with information overload – from eye care professionals, nutritionists, endocrinologists, podiatrists, the Internet and even their own family members. It may be easy to fall into the mistake of thinking they know everything there is to know about the disease and how to successfully manage it.

“Growing up with a father and brother – both with type 1 diabetes – I thought when I received my diagnosis of type 1 diabetes more than 20 years ago, I would have an advantage when it came to the day-to-day management of my diabetes,” says Cinde Vadnais, of Golden Valley, Minn. “But I quickly learned that developing good control differs greatly from one person to the next.”

Nearly 26 million adults and children have diabetes in the United States, and an additional 79 million Americans have prediabetes. Some individuals can control their diabetes with diet and exercise, while others have to add medications to the mix.

A couple of years ago, Vadnais was considering switching over to an insulin pump instead of taking four to five shots daily to control her blood sugar levels. She had many questions, and attended the American Diabetes Association EXPO in Minneapolis in 2007, where all her questions were answered – and she found a pump that worked for her lifestyle.

EXPOs are free and held across the country so people with diabetes, and their families, can learn how to be active, healthy and help change the future of diabetes. Diabetes sometimes has serious complications, like heart attack, blindness, amputation and stroke, but with better management of the disease, a person could lower the risk of these complications.

Included at the EXPOs are health screenings, cooking demonstrations, product exhibits and presentations on diabetes prevention and management. For youths with diabetes, Family Fun Zones include information and activities geared toward kids and teens and their parents.

Vadnais still attends the EXPO Minneapolis every year, and even volunteers at the event. “I’m there to check out the latest technologies,” she says. “The pump has changed my life for the better. I have better control over my diabetes.”

For more information about diabetes or to find an EXPO in your area, call (800) DIABETES (800-342-2383), or visit www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/expo.