(Washington, DC) A groundbreaking partnership is giving DC residents the chance to save their own lives on Tuesday, March 28, 2006. Free diabetes screenings and blood glucose (sugar) tests will be available from 9 am – 1 pm at DC Fire/EMS Firehouse #24, located at 5101 Georgia Avenue, NW.

The initiative is sponsored by the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS), MedStar Research Institute, and the American Diabetes Association. Several other area firehouses will be distributing diabetes risk tests throughout the day as well.

Over 45,000 residents of the District of Columbia have diabetes, one-third of whom remain undiagnosed. Another 100,000 have a condition called “pre-diabetes” which is essentially diabetes waiting in the wings – unless changes in diet and exercise are made.

Undiagnosed diabetes often remains that way until its victim is rushed to the hospital with a heart attack, kidney failure, blindness, or a gangrenous limb. Early detection of the disease can save countless lives and money in emergency medical costs.

DC residents with any of the following risks for diabetes are encouraged to stop by Engine #24 on March 28th:

• Overweight
• Inactive
• Over the age of 65
• High blood pressure (at or above 140/90)
• A family history of diabetes
• Diabetes during pregnancy or a baby that weighed more than nine pounds at birth

Furthermore, diabetes is more common among African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders.