Diabetes affects thousands of people in the east and that's why ECU and other community members teamed up to help bring awareness and share advice to those coping with the disease in the ninth annual “Winning With Diabetes” conference.

Hundreds of people showed up for the conference that was open to the public on Saturday. The cost was $25 dollars. The day was full of speakers and information. Those who attended took home tips on healthy eating and exercising and even help on what questions to ask their doctors about the disease they are suffering from.

Doctors tell WITN that 12 percent of Eastern Carolina’s population has diabetes and it’s important for those folks to know how to control it.