IRON MOUNTAIN -- Diabetes is a disease that affects nearly eight percent of adults in Michigan, and many of those who suffer from the disease don't even know they have it.

Kim Massichotte was diagnosed with diabetes over thirty years ago, and one of the more recent tools she's acquired to fight her disease is an insulin pump.  To learn how to use the device, she turned to the Dickinson County Hospital's diabetes clinic.

"I think that education is invaluable and it's absolutely necessary to take care of yourself," said Massichotte.

That's what the clinic does.  By using different tools, they help diabetics learn to control their disease.

"Different people have different learning barriers and different learning curves so we try to be really sensitive to that," said RN Katherine Cotar, the clinic coordinator.

The clinic also provides support to patients to help them cope with their condition.

"I think people do have a lot of fear," said Cindy Yellich, one of the clinic's certified diabetes educators.  "I really do try to calm some of those fears down and help them to understand that they'll be able to live a full, wonderful life."

That's what keeps Kim coming back.  "I feel more as if we're friends and not just patient-caregiver," she explained. "That's a plus on their side."

Officials are trying to raise awareness about the disease, since Michigan has the seventh highest prevalence of diabetes among all 50 states.  Just because you haven't been diagnosed with diabetes doesn't necessarily mean you don't suffer from the disease.  One-third of adults in Michigan who have diabetes haven't been diagnosed, which is why caregivers recommend that you get screened annually to make sure you're not at risk.

If you're interested in the program, talk to your health care provider.