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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2024 Page 19 or leadership violated the law in executing a $1.2 million nondisclosure agreement — concealing allegations of racial discrimination.” ---State Auditor DiZoglio upon the release of her audit of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. “Absenteeism is really a manifestation of an unmet need. Schools off er counseling, extracurricular activities, meals and the chance to learn with and from students’ peers. If students aren’t there, they can’t benefi t from these opportunities and are missing out on so much more than their education.” ---Massachusetts Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler announcing the Healy administration’s “Your Presence is Powerful” campaign as part of its continued efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism and support students getting back into the classroom where they have access to a variety of supports, including universal free school meals and mental health services. “Yes, a median sale price of $650,000 was a new all-time high for the month of July, and month after month prices are setting new records, but price gains are smaller than they could be. Interest rates are more than double where they were two years ago, and I’m certain prices would be even higher without those changes.” ---Cassidy Norton, Associate Publisher and Media Relations Director of The Warren Group announcing the median single-family sale price in the Bay State rose to $650,000 — an increase of 6.6 percent from the $610,000 price tag in July 2023. HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public BEACON | SEE Page 21 Revere residents to participate in Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai Iconic fundraising walk for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support all forms of cancer research and care S ix residents from Revere will participate in the Boston What Are the Early Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes? Dear Savvy Senior, What are the early signs and symptoms of diabetes? I’m 60 years old, and in pretty good shape, but was just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. What did I miss? Diabetic Dan Dear Dan, The signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be so mild that many people miss them. That’s why testing is so important. Here’s what you should know. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention more than 38 million Americans have diabetes today, and another 97 million have prediabetes, but many of them don’t even know they have it. Type 2 diabetes is a disease that develops slowly over decades. Most people have prediabetes for a long time before the disease becomes full-blown diabetes, and even then, it progresses gradually. Diabetes occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. This excess blood sugar damages blood vessels and aff ects circulation, putting you at risk for a host of ailments, from heart attack and stroke to blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage. Signs and Symptoms So how can you tell if you have diabetes? The earliest signs, which are usually subtle, including urinating more frequently (often at night), being thirster and hungrier than usual, weight loss without trying, feeling very tired, having dry itchy skin and blurry vision. And the symptoms that can indicate advanced diabetes and long-term damage has occurred includes cuts or sores that heal slowly, having more infections than usual, and pain or numbness in your feet or legs. Who Should Get Tested? Because prediabetes typically causes no outward symptoms, and the signs of early type 2 diabetes can easily be missed, the only way to know for sure if you have it is to get a blood test. Everyone age 45 years or older should consider getting tested for diabetes, especially if you are overweight with a body mass index (BMI) above 25. See CDC.gov/bmi to calculate your BMI. If you are younger than 45 but are overweight, or have high blood pressure, a family history of diabetes, or belong to an ethnic group (Latino, Asian, African or Native American) at high risk for diabetes, you should get checked too. To help you determine your risk for diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has a quick, online risk test you can take for free at Diabetes.org/ risk-test. Diabetes Tests There are three diff erent tests your doctor can give you to diagnosis diabetes. The most common is the “fasting plasma glucose test,” which requires an eight-hour fast before you take it. There’s also the “oral glucose tolerance test” to see how your body processes sugar, and the “hemoglobin A1C test” that measures your average blood sugar over the past three months. It can be taken anytime regardless of when you ate. Most private health insurance plans and Medicare cover diabetes tests, however, if you’re reluctant to visit your doctor to get tested, an alternative is to go to the drug store, buy a blood glucose meter and test yourself at home. They cost around $20. If you fi nd that you are prediabetic or diabetic, you need to see your doctor to develop a plan to get it under control. In many cases lifestyle changes like losing weight, exercising, eating a healthy diet and cutting back on carbohydrates may be all you need to do to get your diabetes under control. For others who need more help, many medications are available. For more information on diabetes and prediabetes or to fi nd help, join a lifestyle change program recognized by the CDC (CDC.gov/diabetes-prevention). These programs offer in-person and online classes in more than 1,500 locations throughout the U.S. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai on Sunday, October 6. Giada Caruso, Renee Griffi n, Geraldine Cole, Marilyn Hammer, Andrea Testa and Lily Garceau, along with thousands of other walkers, will participate in the iconic annual event that will unite the community to raise funds to support all forms of adult and pediatric care and research at the nation’s premier cancer center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $176 million for Dana-Farber in its 35-year history, raising a record-breaking $9.4 million in 2023. “For 35 years, the Jimmy Fund Walk has continuously supported lifesaving research and cancer care at Dana-Farber. Our goal is to build off of the momentum we’ve established throughout that history, and in 2024, aim to surpass our total from last year by raising $9.5 million,” says Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Assistant VP of Event Fundraising Caitlin Fink. “Fighting cancer is what we do. The Walk unites our community under a common goal — to defy cancer together.” One Walk, Four Distances, For All Cancers The Jimmy Fund Walk is the only organized walk permitted to use the famed Boston Marathon® course, and participants have the fl exibility to choose from four distance options: 5K walk (from Dana-Farber’s Longwood Medical Campus); 10K walk (from Newton); Half Marathon walk (from Wellesley); and Marathon walk (from Hopkinton). Walkers can participate virtually as well. Whatever route participants choose, they will be supported by hundreds of volunteers and treated to refueling stations with refreshments throughout the course. Postersized photographs of patients — Jimmy Fund Walk Heroes — are the heart of the event and appear along the course as inspiration. All routes will conclude at the Jimmy Fund Walk Finish Line Powered by Schneider Electric at Boston Common, by the corner of Charles and Beacon Streets. Finish line activities will include a celebration with food and entertainment. To register for the Walk (#JimmyFundWalk) or to support a walker, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call 866531-9255. Registrants can enter the promo code NEWS for $5 off the registration fee. All registered walkers will receive a bib, medal and Jimmy Fund Walk T-shirt. About The Jimmy Fund The Jimmy Fund is comprised of community-based fundraising events and other programs that, solely and directly, benefi t Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving mission to provide compassionate patient care and groundbreaking cancer research for children and adults. The Jimmy Fund is an offi cial charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Pan-Mass Challenge and the Variety Children’s Charity of New England. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped The Jimmy Fund save countless lives and reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide. Follow The Jimmy Fund on Facebook, X and Instagram: @TheJimmyFund. About Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Dana-Farber is one of the world’s leading centers of cancer research and treatment. Dana-Farber’s mission is to reduce the burden of cancer through scientifi c inquiry, clinical care, education, community engagement and advocacy. Dana-Farber is a federally designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a teaching affi liate of Harvard Medical School. The organization provides the latest treatments in cancer for adults through Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center and for children through Dana-Farber/ Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. DanaFarber is the only hospital nationwide with a top 5 U.S. News & World Report Best Cancer Hospital ranking in both adult and pediatric care. As a global leader in oncology, Dana-Farber is dedicated to a unique and equal balance between cancer research and care, translating the results of discovery into new treatments for patients locally and around the world — off ering more than 1,100 clinical trials.

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