Some of Bermuda's top entertainers will donate their services to raise money for diabetes in a special night of festivities at Marriott's Castle Harbour Hotel at the end of the month.

Local stars such as the Hubert Smith family, Pinky Steede, Gene Steede, and Ron Lightbourne and his band, as well as many other favourite names, will provide the floor show. This will open with what George Smith calls a "fantastic, beautiful'' slide show of Bermuda by photographer Roland Skinner which illustrates a special Bermudian song. There will also be a "wonderful surprise guest.'' Aptly entitled `Bermuda Night', the local theme will continue with a dinner of traditional Bermudian cuisine, and there will be an opportunity to win -- amongst other delights -- a tour of Ireland's castles in the spectacular raffle draw.

The Bermuda bash, to be attended by His Excellency the Governor and Lady Waddington, is what the organisers hope will be a "massive fund-raiser'' for the Bermuda Diabetes Association, the proceeds of which will be used to sponsor the Island's first Epidemiology Study.

"As a killer disease, diabetes is on the increase in Bermuda.'' This is the blunt summing-up of the situation by Mrs. Debbie Jones, co-ordinator of the Diabetes Centre at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Ironically, the steep rise in the most common form of diabetes can, in many instances, be directly linked to an increasingly affluent life-style.

The idea for the show arises from the fact that some of those taking part have been diagnosed with the disease which has now been named as the third leading cause of death in the US. With diabetes also reaching alarming proportions in Bermuda, this first major local study of the disease will be undertaken shortly.

"For years now, we have wanted to know just how many people in Bermuda have diabetes. We would also like to find out what complications are arising as a result of diabetes,'' says Mrs. Jones.

Some of these may include heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney disease and amputations.

The 800-member Association has just been given the green light (but, as yet, no funds) from Government to go ahead with the epidemiology study which is being led by Toronto diabetes specialist, Dr. Meng Tan.

Bermuda is considered an ideal place to conduct such a survey, because of its compact size and excellent resources.

"Unfortunately, there are many entertainers and musicians who have diabetes, so we thought it would be a great idea to have a fund-raising by Bermudians to sponsor this study,'' says Mrs. Jones.

It has been estimated that the study, which will be used as a case study for other areas, will cost between $150,000 and $200,000 and will also cover such aspects as education on the disease, prevention, control and treatment.

"When the Bermuda Diabetes Association was set up in 1979, it received tremendous help from Toronto. They really took us under their wing and even invited us to all of the AGMs. When we opened the Centre, Dr. Tan and a colleague came down here and helped run a training session for local physicians, so he is very familiar with the situation regarding diabetes in Bermuda. I would like to point out that the more volunteers we can get to help with the study, the less it will cost,'' says Mrs. Jones, who presently treats over 1,000 patients on a regular basis at the diabetes clinic.

Entertainer Mr. George Smith, who was diagnosed with diabetes over 20 years ago, says there is an urgent need for Bermuda to be better educated on this `insidious' disease.

"I've had it all this time, but am only just beginning to realise the seriousness of the illness, because I'm only now getting properly educated on it! The public needs to know how many people in Bermuda have diabetes. A lot of people have it and don't even know it -- so this study is really important,'' he says.

The projected study will cover several major areas, explains Mrs. Jones.

"First of all, we need to find out the number of people, and the age at which it is most prevalent and what risk factors are involved for those who have it.

Then we need to know if a person's life-style has changed in recent years.

What do they eat and drink -- and how much? Then we will study complications that can and do arise over a certain time frame. And finally, we have to have a plan of action because we know we can do certain things to prevent or delay the onset of the disease.'' She points out that there are two types of diabetes, the first being `Type 1' which is insulin-dependent and for which, at the moment, there is no cure.

"The second type is definitely linked to a life-style change, so it can be prevented or delayed to some degree. It's therefore essential that we get people concentrating on a healthier life-style from an early age.'' The huge escalation of Type 2, in other words, can be largely blamed on `junk' and fatty foods, and lack of exercise.

Mrs. Jones is deeply concerned that an increasing number of her patients are teenagers.

"I have at least 10 kids, about 16 years old, who have developed Type 2 and are headed straight for a heart attack or a stroke by the time they're in their mid-twenties.'' School, she points out, is no longer the healthy haven it once was. "P.E. is now an optional subject in secondary schools. Unless kids are dedicated athletes they are not interested in exercise and tend to just hang out, listening to music! There are tuck shops in most of the schools where the kids buy things like hot dogs, meat pies, French fries and so on -- and then they go home, and flop out in front of the TV where they spend hours eating more junk. Nutritionally unsound food can lead to insulin resistance.'' Mr. Smith says he knows of people here who have even installed small refrigerators in their bedrooms so that they can lie in bed, watching TV and snacking without having to get up to go to the kitchen.

Mrs. Jones points out that there has been a dramatic rise in the inci dence of diabetes -- between 50 and 70 percent -- in the North American Indian. "These hunters and gatherers of fruits and berries who ate so well have suffered a drastic change in life-style since they were dumped on reservations.'' She suggests that there may even be a tenuous link here with some St. David's islanders.

Stars shine for charity "Tom Rothwell did his doctorate thesis called `Mohawks in the Onion Patch', which found there was a mix of Pequots, Mohicans and Caribs on St. David's, many of whom intermarried and spread out over the rest of Bermuda, so it would be interesting to try and see if this has had any impact.'' Stressing that the Bermuda Night will be the Diabetes Association's major fund raiser of the year, Mr. Smith is hoping that locals will turn out in force for the show.

"We're starting off with cocktails in the Bayview Lounge, then we're going to have some great Bermuda cooking, followed by a wonderful show and a chance for people to dance afterwards,'' he says.

He is especially excited about the `Great Escape' raffle prizes that are offered.

Top prize is a six-night Irish Castle Tour for four (including airfare and car rental). Arranged by Association member Mr. Bill Nicholsen, the castles will include two nights at the romantic 16th century Dromoland Castle in County Clare, two nights at the beautiful 13th century Ashford Castle in County Mayo and finally, two nights at the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Dublin's only luxury castle hotel overlooking world-famous Dublin Bay.

Other prizes include a week for two at Beaver Creek Resort in Colorado (airfare inclusive), and a weekend for two at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Boston (fare included).

Locally, there will be weekends for two at both the Fourways Inn and at Cambridge Beaches, an 18K gold pendant from Astwood-Dickinson, dinner for two at MR Onions, dinner for two at Pink Beach, and to get back in shape after all that, two months free membership at the Total Fitness Centre.

Marriott's Castle Harbour is donating the door prize -- a weekend for two at the resort.

"They have also very kindly given us many concessions on the cost of holding this night, so that we can raise money for a very worthy and urgent cause,'' says Mr. Smith.

Great Sound will be providing the sound and light systems for the show.

Bermuda Night takes place at Marriott's Castle Harbour Hotel on Saturday, January 28, commencing with cocktails at 7 p.m. and continuing through to 1 a.m. Admission to the dinner and show is $80 per person (dress: smart casual).

For reservations, please telephone Mrs. Jones at 239-2027 (days) 293-0268 (evenings), Mr. George Smith at 292-2910, or Ms Barbara Willis at 297-7978 (days) or 293-2269 (evenings).

What you should know about diabetes Some facts about diabetes around the world: Over 100 million people have diabetes -- around six percent of the world's adult population.

More people die from diabetes than from breast cancer and lung cancer.

Half or more of all leg amputations are due to diabetes.

Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney disease in Europe and the US.

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the middle-aged in Europe.

Diabetes more than doubles the risk of heart attacks or strokes.

Diabetes is a major cause of impotence in men of all ages.

The cost of diabetes in the US has risen over 350 percent in the last five years.

With proper education, 50-80 percent of diabetic complications are preventable.

Only one in ten diabetes patients in the US have received any formal training in self-care.

At least half of all people with diabetes are unaware of their condition; in some countries this proportion rises to 80 percent.

BERMUDA'S NIGHT OF STARS -- Part of the line-up that will appear in Bermuda Night in aid of the Bermuda Diabetes Association include (left to right) Pinky Steede, George Smith, Ronald Lightbourne, Gene Steede, Roosevelt (tony) Antoine, Mike Perinchief and Hubert Smith. Some of the other artists slated to appear will be Dean Ming, Calvin Hendrickson, and Stan Gilbert.

DROMOLAND CASTLE -- One of Europe's top luxury hotels is waiting for the lucky winners of the Bermuda Night raffle in aid of the Diabetes Association.