CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - November is Diabetes Awareness Month, Chicopee Mayor John Vieau held a flag raising at City Hall to bring awareness to this disease. Understanding Type 2 Diabetes: Risk Factors, Lifestyle Habits, and Effective Treatments His daughter Jenna, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was just 8 years old. "When that happens, it changes your life. Technology and advancements in the medical field have come a long way. I remember taking vials of insulin out in restaurants and measuring out certain doses," said Mayor Vieau. Mayor Vieau was joined by City Treasurer Marie Laflamme, City Councilors Mary Beth Pniak-Costello, Shane Brooks, and Jerry Roy, State Rep. Shirley Arriaga, and residents Jena Vieau and Ed and Lisa Prost. Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes impacts 38 million Americans across the country. Plus, the American Diabetes Association estimates that 97 million people are pre-diabetic. Exercising, quitting smoking, and eating a healthy diet can make a big difference in lessening your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. Local News Headlines Local leaders distribute 150 turkeys to families in need Mayflower Marathon continues to fight food insecurity Thanksgiving travel surge expected as 80M hit the roads and air Gov. Healey proposes bill to save truck drivers’ licenses WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.