At first glance, the frail 73-year-old woman would appear to have little in common with the late Jackie Robinson, the Hall Of Fame ballplayer who broke baseball's color line in a storied career with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

But America Martinez shares a deadly legacy with Robinson. She is diabetic.

Martinez recently had her right toe amputated. Her eyesight and kidneys are failing. All are common problems associated with diabetes, the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the No. 1 cause of new blindness in people between the ages of 25 and 74.

On Sunday, Martinez, her children and grandchildren were among several hundred people who attended the third annual "Community Diabetes Info-Fair" at the Modesto Centre Plaza. They came to learn more about the disease Martinez shares with more than 15 million people in this country.

The fair, sponsored by the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and the Diabetes Educators Network of Central California.

Art Martinez said his mother, a native of Guatemala who does not speak English, first was diagnosed with the disease 15 years ago. But she likely had been a diabetic for years before the devastating disease finally was pinpointed.

"At this stage," Martinez said, "we're trying to find out more about it. This is something difficult to cope with -- it's an illness without a cure."

In addition to blindness, diabetes also can lead to kidney disease, heart disease, strokes and birth defects. Circulatory complications in diabetics often force amputation of the feet or legs.

The disease occurs when the pancreas stops manufacturing sufficient amounts of insulin, a substance that helps glucose enter the body cells. When it's unable to enter those cells, the glucose builds up in the bloodstream, which can cause serious damage to organs throughout the body.

People who are considered at risk for contracting the disease include those who are overweight, more than 40 years old and have a family history of the disease. Blacks, Hispanics and American Indians are especially susceptible.

Anne Stokman, a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator employed at Stanislaus Medical Center, said the purpose of the Sunday fair was to bring the latest information to people who already have been diagnosed with the disease.

"People who have diabetes can learn to keep it under control," Stokman said, "with the proper medication, diet and exercise program."

Marilyn Strait of Modesto first was diagnosed as a diabetic 40 years ago. Now 64, Strait is president of the Greater Modesto Lions Club and plays a leading role in bringing educational programs to people who suffer with the disease.

Strait said she is excited about the progress researchers are making in finding a cure.

So are Rafael and Guadalupe Aguilar of Modesto. Rafael Aguilar said he found out he was a diabetic in July and still was trying to get used to the idea. He was in the process of changing his eating and exercise habits.

For now, that's enough.

Aguilar said his doctor told him he does not need to take insulin injections.

"I'm very glad he's listening to the doctor," said his wife, Guadalupe. "Things are under control and he's doing much better."