Whether you are at risk for, have been recently diagnosed with, or are living with diabetes, it is essential to make sure you have the information necessary to manage your disease. It can also be overwhelming caring for someone with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association strives to make it easier and the organization’s EXPOs are a great place to start.

EXPO is one way the American Diabetes Association helps fight diabetes on a community level by providing free access to cooking demonstrations, diabetes information and educational presentations. At EXPO, local community health organizations are brought together so that attendees may benefit from a variety of screenings such as blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol. The resources found at EXPO can help to Stop Diabetes (R) in its tracks.

There is a lot that goes into making EXPOs successful and one of those things is its volunteers. Roberta Pondexter has been volunteering at EXPO Chicago for the past three years. “I wanted to volunteer with an organization that hit close to home. My dad was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes six years ago. My family was initially scared and we wanted to learn more about this disease that affects so many,” says Pondexter.

This year Roberta will be an EXPO captain, managing other volunteers throughout the day. “My favorite part of EXPO is working the Healthy Lifestyle Stage,” she says. “Not only do I get to meet celebrity chefs who have been affected by diabetes, but I get to learn about easy and healthy recipes that I can make for my dad.”

The Association’s EXPO began in 1995 in Phoenix and has expanded to 11 cities around the country. In 2012, EXPO provided free diabetes information and support to nearly 55,000 individuals.

For more information about diabetes or to find an EXPOin your area, call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383), or visit diabetes.org/EXPO.

The 2013 schedule for the American Diabetes Association EXPO is:

* Denver (Feb. 9)

* Salt Lake City (March 2)

* New York City (March 9)

* Chicago (April 13)

* Seattle (April 13)

* Los Angeles (May 4)

* Portland, Ore. (May 4)

* San Antonio (May 18)

* Northwest Arkansas (Aug. 3)

* Minneapolis (Oct. 12)

* Pittsburgh (Nov. 9)