The Joslin Diabetes Center’s Asian-American Diabetes Initiative (AADI) has always been close to Bettina Chiu’s heart. She has seen the impact the organization and its lead doctor, William Hsu, have had on her father, Bernard. Her Dad has been a Joslin patient since it was discovered he had extremely high blood pressure. Chiu, 27, says the diagnosis was a complete shock.

“Looking at him, you would never guess he could have a health issue,” said Chiu of her energetic and physically fit father. “It was a wake up call, to say the least. Thanks to the AADI, I started to learn about the alarming prevalence of diabetes among the Asian-American population.”

Under the guidance of Dr. Hsu and the AADI, the Chiu family pulled together to change their diets to include less carbohydrates and made time for more physical activity, in an attempt to prevent Bernard’s high blood pressure from turning into Type 2 Diabetes.

“Our dinners were no different than any other Chinese household; rice was the biggest portion of food on the plate,” explains Chiu. “We had to change the way we prepared our meals and what we ate.”

The family’s efforts paid off and Bernard has not been diagnosed with diabetes. The Chius are a walking example of the impact of Joslin Diabetes Center, the world’s preeminent diabetes research and clinical care organization, and the AADI. The family remains deeply involved with the organization, and are regular attendees and sponsors of the annual “A Spoonful of Ginger” event each year.

“After a couple of years of attending it really motivated me,” explains Chiu, who is co-chair of this year’s event.  “A Spoonful of Ginger supports this great cause, and it is so much fun, you can’t help but get excited about it. I‘ve seen the event grow; over the years there has been so much momentum which speaks to the credibility of Joslin and the AADI.”

A Spoonful of Ginger is a food tasting of ginger-inspired dishes by all-star Boston chefs, including Jasper White, Andy Husbands, Gordon Hamersley, Ting San, Evan Deluty, Joanne Chang, Brian Reyelt, Jacky Robert and Jose Duarte. It is being held Monday, March 26^th from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston’s new Art of the Americas Wing. Proceeds will benefit the AADI’s mission of enhancing the quality of life and health outcomes for the rising number of Asians and Asian-Americans living with diabetes, as well as supporting Joslin’s commitment to a cure.

For more information on the Joslin Diabetes Center's 8^th Annual A Spoonful of Ginger, please visit www.joslin.org/ginger