Southern Health-Santé Sud is doing something about the recent Canadian Diabetes Association's news release of an expected drastic increase in diabetics this year. Chronic disease nurse Karla Funk explains the work they're doing to help you deal with the disease.

"I do direct and client care for people with diabetes. The demand for our services both nursing and dietician has definitely increased greatly since I've been doing it since 2006. December was a test month for us. Due to the rise and increase in demand for referrals and for education, our team has began group education classes."

She outlines the classes.

"We are providing a three part education series. So, that's Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3. They're approximately two hours in length. They are intended to provide a basis of education that can kind of be taking a client through their life with diabetes. And to get more people through on time, we're trying to do anywhere from 10 to 20 clients in one class series at a time."

Funk says she's personally seen a obvious increase in cases.

"I have sort of changed the focus in my job during those years. I just moved into a position that had me working solely with one clinic in the area. So, it's definitely hard to comment on specific numbers, because the nature of my job has changed slightly. But, there is a quite a wait list to see us for sure."

She adds, "We're not just education but we're also troubleshooters. And our job is to help clients find access, or at least teach them to eat healthy with the food that they can afford as well. It's doctor-referral and word of mouth. And clients can self-refer. We are definitely out there in our community."

You can go to their website for help: http://www.southernhealth.ca/service.php?id=24

Their office phone number is (204) 320-2475.