The statistics surrounding diabetes in this country are nothing short of alarming.

More than 38 million adults in the U.S. live with the disease: 29.7 million diagnosed and 8.7 million undiagnosed.

Another 98 million American adults — more than 1 in 3 — have prediabetes, with a full 80 percent of them unaware that they suffer from the condition.

Worse yet, about 70 percent of the prediabetes cases, if left untreated, will develop into full diabetes.

Here in California, approximately 3.2 million of those 18 and older have been diagnosed with diabetes, which represents about 1 in 9 adults in the state. Furthermore, an estimated 5.9 million adult Californians have prediabetes, putting them at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

As someone who lives with Type 2 diabetes every day, I am all too familiar with these numbers. I have struggled with eating correctly, exercise, weight loss … the list goes on. But I am determined not to let diabetes beat me.

To “beat diabetes,” I see my primary care doctor regularly, have my blood tested four times a year to monitor my blood sugar level, engage in strength training, and drink at least three or four 16-ounce bottles of water a day. It is challenging, exhausting, and frustrating. But the alternative is frightening.

I am sharing this story because it is a battle in my life, and I want to help others understand that they are not alone, regardless of whether they have health insurance.

As the numbers indicate, far too many families face the diabetes challenge. Legacy Health Endowment (LHE) recognizes that there are many barriers to people obtaining a diagnosis. Those barriers include insurance, the cost of medications and insulin, taking time off work, transportation, and more. For many others, regardless of their insurance status, visiting a medical professional is another cost they cannot afford.

In collaboration with Kind Clinic at 3650 Geer Road, LHE has launched a free primary care program for those with diabetes and prediabetes. In other words, any uninsured person or someone insured through Covered California or their employer, qualifies for this free program. People with Medi-Cal, Medicare, and VA coverage currently are excluded.

Once you schedule an appointment at Kind Clinic, you will be sent for blood tests to determine your blood sugar level, in addition to a series of other tests. These tests are free. The goal is to treat you and your diabetes, ensure you have a healthy path forward, and for you to understand that all of this is provided at no cost.

Your medical provider at Kind Clinic will then prescribe medication to help you with your battle against diabetes. If you fill your prescription at Tower Pharmacy, located at 501 E. Olive in Turlock, the cost is $2, including insulin.

Why are we determined to help? Diabetes, if left untreated, can cause or contribute to heart disease, vision loss, nerve damage, or other maladies. As we grow older, the risk of diabetes increases.

In nearby Stockton, nearly 60 percent of the population has diabetes or prediabetes. LHE decided that its coverage area — 19 zip codes in Stanislaus and Merced counties — needed a solution.  The goal is to help you remove as many barriers to care as possible.

Legacy Health Endowment was established when Doctors Hospital in Modesto acquired Emanuel Medical Center in 2014. The net proceeds from the sale created LHE. The goal is to utilize charitable assets to enhance healthcare for local citizens of all ages by creating and funding innovative healthcare services and solutions that can transform lives today, tomorrow, and forever.

The LHE/Kind Clinic program is seeking 50 people 18 and older who have diabetes or suspect that they may have it.

If you have any questions, please call Kind Clinic at (209) 633-3014 or email me at jeffrey@legacyhealthendowment.org. To see if you reside in one of LHE’s 19 zip codes, visit legacyhealthendowment.org/about.

The need is great, and the time for taking control of your diabetes is now.

Jeffrey Lewis is the president and CEO of Legacy Health Endowment. The views expressed are his own.