The Chilton Medical Center deserves commendation for putting forth the effort to inform our area on diabetes. As noted in a story in Thursday’s newspaper, diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death among Americans, and the fifth leading cause of death from disease, according to the American Diabetes Association.

The CMC is currently offering free monthly classes to educate people about the disease. The classes are held on the third Thursday of each month at the hospital beginning at 10 a.m. and at 5 p.m.

We encourage to attend all who feel they, a friend or a family member suffer or could suffer from diabetes. So far, the classes, which began in March, are going well, according to CMC diabetes resource nurse Karen Harrison. It’s comforting to know the people of Chilton County care to learn more about a disease that could affect so many of our loved ones. Without these types of classes, we might not even know how to detect symptoms, or we could learn of them when it’s too late.

CMC hopes the newly diagnosed, those who fear they may be at risk and those not managing their diabetes well will attend regularly and put the knowledge to good use. Also, any caregivers and significant others of those with the disease should make this a priority.

The idea with these classes isn’t just to throw out tips that may or may not help. This information could potentially be lifesaving for those with little to no knowledge of diabetes.

So long as patients and their loved ones stay educated and maintain healthy lifestyles, there is always hope.