The Canadian Diabetes Association's "live smart" education program will be presented in 14 centres this year, up from eight in 2006.

The first live smart program, in 2006, reached 10,000 people, so the CDA has decided to try to extend its reach, it said in a release Wednesday.

City	Date	Location
Barrie, Ont.	April 28	Georgian College
Calgary	May 12	Telus Centre
Edmonton	April 14	Shaw Centre
Kingston, Ont.	May 12	St. Lawrence College
Kitchener, Ont.	May 5	Holiday Inn
London, Ont.	May 12	Convention Centre
Membertou, N.S.	April 28	Convention Centre
Ottawa	April 28	Hampton Inn
Saint John, N.B.	April 21	Convention Centre
St. Catharines, Ont.	April 21	Bethany Church
Sudbury, Ont.	September	N/A
Toronto	May 26	Direct Energy Centre
Vancouver	May 26	Broadway Church
Winnipeg	May 5	Convention Centre

The day-long sessions, including keynote speakers, workshops and a trade show, are aimed at informing Canadians about the rapidly growing disease.

"While many Canadians have a basic understanding of what diabetes is, few truly understand the serious nature of the disease," the association said.

An estimated two million Canadians have diabetes, a disease which left untreated can lead to heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and death.

But commitment to good management can cut the risk of complications, said Steve Nowak, a CDA vice president.

The sessions will cover topics from nutrition to insulin pumps to stress management and foot care.

A March 2007 study found that one in 11 adults (8.8  per cent) in Ontario — and probably the rest of Canada — are diabetic. That's up from one in 19 (5.2 per cent) in 1995.

Shoppers Drug Mart and drug company Pfizer Canada Inc. are backing the program.