VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Terry Towers

Real Stories About Real People

Pharmacist Makes a Difference in the Community   

Terrence Towers, BS RPh learned about the American Diabetes Association early in his education as a pharmacist.  For Towers, it was a natural transition for him to get involved with ADA because of his feelings towards trying to help people with diabetes.  In his role as a Diabetes Care Specialist for Rite Aid, Towers helps individuals on a daily basis with their diabetes.  His work goes beyond the walls of his Rite Aid Store and into the community where he lives and works in Corinth, New York.

Towers began volunteering with the Association in 2003.  Since that time he has become an important member of the Capital District Speaker’s Bureau, a walk team captain, and a valuable resource to staff and volunteers alike when it comes to diabetes.

He has presented programs to several organizations who wanted their employees to be able to recognize the risks and warning signs of diabetes.  He has spoken before the Albany ADA members’ dinner on fad diets; participated in many area ADA walks in different capacities;  staffed informational booths and provided inspirational start-off talks.

At the events, he staffed the table from Rite Aid, with information on diabetes prevention, detection and management.  It was at one of the walk events that Towers offered to help out in any way he could to educate the public about diabetes.  The Association took him up on this offer and more.  Now, in addition to staffing a table at the walk, he also walks, and serves as a Rite Aid Team Captain for events in Rutland and Brattleboro, VT and Albany, NY.  He continues to encourage employees in all stores to join ADA in finding a cure for diabetes.

Joan Clifford, ADA’s Director in Upstate New York/West New England said, “Terry exemplifies all the qualities of a dedicated professional and ADA volunteer.  He has been a tireless volunteer when it comes to educating the public about diabetes.”  He speaks on behalf of ADA throughout the community two-to-three times a month, both at work sites and in community groups.  With the introduction of Winning at Work, Towers has been a great resource to have on hand for brown bag lunch requests.

He has been instrumental in coordinating free Healthy Living Days at several Rite Aid stores throughout New York.  These events include education on meters, pumps and other diabetes related materials.  Along with ADA, Novo Nordisk and Rite Aid, Towers has continuously been reaching out to hundreds of participants.  Healthy Living Days are held in communities home to at risk populations for individuals that may not have otherwise had this education available.

The Annual Diabetes Forum held each year in Albany during American Diabetes Month attracts close to 500 participants. As a Rite Aid representative, Towers is there to answer questions participants may have regarding their diabetes.  Additionally, Towers has served as the keynote speaker since 2005 and is also a member of the panel of experts.

Community outreach is important to Towers and he stresses the importance of becoming involved in the community with all of the students who benefit from a rotation through his pharmacy.  Many are on hand for community programs and Healthy Living Days and see first hand the importance education plays in the control and management of diabetes.  Many of these students have stayed on to volunteer for ADA.

“As a volunteer, I get a good feeling of accomplishment when I see the appreciation in the faces of those people with diabetes.  I also learned that I can get a lot of gratification from simply giving some time to volunteer and that people are basically a very caring, giving lot,” he remarked.

Send feedback to volunteerupdates@diabetes.org.