Palm Coast, FL— On Sept. 12, the Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation donated $15,000 to the Flagler County Free Clinic to help expand the clinic’s diabetes services.
The funds were raised during the Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation’s 2016 Moonlit Gala, chaired by Laura Gilvary, Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation board member with a personal passion for diabetes awareness and treatment. Her husband John has Type 1 Diabetes.
“Approximately half of all Florida adults are afflicted with diabetes; about 13 percent have diabetes and an additional 38 percent have prediabetes,” said Gilvary. “Supporting the free clinic’s diabetes services is so important because people with diabetes have medical expenses that are approximately 2.3 times higher. Over time, that can really add up.”
“Complications from diabetes can be very serious and include heart disease, stroke, amputation, end-stage kidney disease, blindness and even death,” said Dr. Ron Jimenez, Florida Hospital Flagler CEO. “That’s why the hospital strives to educate our community about diabetes and the treatment options available. We are blessed to have the opportunity to help support the Flagler County Free Clinic and their service to our community.”
Photo credit: FL Hospital- From left to right, Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation board member Laura Gilvary, Florida Hospital Flagler chief operating officer JoAnne King, Flagler County Free Clinic president Dr. Steve Bickel; Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation board member Tony Papandrea; Florida Hospital Flagler chief executive officer Dr. Ron Jimenez, Florida Hospital Flagler operating board member Barbara Revels, Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation executive director John Subers and Florida Hospital HospiceCare Foundation director Bill Tol.
