By Matt Leingang
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Della Reese

Della Reese calls diabetes a silent killer.

She had no clear symptoms before being diagnosed with the disease four years ago. A series of headaches and difficulty walking were the first clues that something was wrong with the 72-year-old singer and actress.

"I was upset," Reese said Saturday at a diabetes conference in Covington.

"But I have since learned that I have the power to make meaningful changes in my life and that my diabetes management plan plays a big part in staying happy and healthy."

Reese, who recently starred in the CBS television show Touched By An Angel, is touring the country as part of a nationwide diabetes awareness campaign, sponsored by the drug company GlaxoSmithKline.

About 600 people, many of whom have diabetes, came to the Northern Kentucky Convention Center to hear Reese speak.

Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, the hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. The disease is the nation's sixth leading cause of death and the leading cause of blindness, limb amputations and kidney failure.

About 18.2 million Americans, or 6 percent of the population, have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Of those, 13 million have been diagnosed, and the rest are unaware they have the disease.

Reese has Type 2 diabetes, which is most common among overweight people and those who do not get enough exercise.

But Reese refuses to let the disease control her life, much less end it.

"My home is heaven, but I'm not homesick," Reese said, drawing a laugh from the crowd.

For the first time in her life, Reese said, she is exercising every day and eating smaller portions.

Medications also help regulate her sugar levels.

But diabetes is primarily a self-managed disease, she said. Patients are responsible for following the recommended lifestyle changes.

"I'm proof that you can take control of your life. You can be stronger than diabetes," Reese said.

Larry White, who attended the conference, can relate. The 55-year-old from Taylor Mill, Ky., was diagnosed with diabetes 12 years ago.

"I didn't take the news seriously like I should have," said White, who continued to eat large meals, including a lot of fast food.

"When you get diabetes, all of a sudden everything in life that you enjoy, you can't have," White said.

He eats healthier now and is getting his sugar level down.

"But I still have work to do," White said.

Saturday's conference was sponsored locally by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the non-profit educational organization Taking Control of Your Diabetes.

Reese has a free motivation CD and booklet that can be ordered by calling 1 (866) 463-6342 or by visiting www.delladiabetes.com.

E-mail mleingang@enquirer.com