A father from Merrick decided to take action after his doctor diagnosed him with diabetes.

Six months ago, 52-year-old Bill Lunavictoria joined a class offered at St. Joseph's Hospital in Bethpage to learn about his diabetes diagnosis.

He says the diabetic education class that his doctor suggested saved his life. He says, “The program here is fantastic. They gave me the education about the science behind diabetes, what happens, what I can do, what options I have— it has absolutely changed my life.”

At the class, dietitian Alysa Ferguson teaches diabetics how to make healthy lifestyle changes using diet and exercise. She says these changes will help diabetics to manage the disease and live a long healthy life. “Our role is to teach people with diabetes about how to control diabetes, what is the knowledge they need, the skills they need and really help them along the way,” she says.

Lunavictoria says he lost 25 pounds as a result of his commitment to getting his disease under control.

He says he recommends everyone make their health a priority. “You can't leave life to luck and chances, that's for the casinos. So, go get tested, go be sure,” he says.

National Diabetes Month takes place in November and is meant to raise awareness about the disease.

Diabetes affects the lives of over 30 million people in the United States.