Health officials at Highlands Regional Medical Center held a health fair Wednesday.

The health fair provided free flu shots, blood tests, and counseling on how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month.

“I was diagnosed at the age of sixteen with diabetes and I actually didn't think it would happen to me. I never had a thought in the world,” Fallon McKenzie said.

Just like Fallon, many individuals in our region are affected by this disease.

“Highlands offers an annual health fair in November because we have an increased incident of diabetes in this area. In the Big Sandy region we actually have 14.09 percent of the population that has diabetes,” Debbie Ousley said.

For many people, this disease goes undetected.

“In the United States there are 5.7 million people that have diabetes that don't know they have it,’ Ousley said.

If left uncared for it can be deadly.

“It affects every organ, every part of your body! It affects your eyes, your heart, your kidney, blood vessels. It is so serious,” McKenzie said.

“If your concerned about your health you need to come in and definitely get these tests run because you'll know, there won’t be any doubt about it,” Norm Conn said.

Monitoring your blood sugar and exercising are just some of the recommended ways to control diabetes.

Diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney disease and other life-threatening illnesses.

The health fair provides free services to everyone.

Workers at the event say they hope more people take advantage of these services so they can take better care of their overall health.