SOURCE: American Diabetes Association
Walkers Are Making Every Step Count in the Movement to Stop Diabetes
ALEXANDRIA, VA–(Marketwire – August 26, 2010) – This year, thousands of people in communities across the country will join the movement to Stop Diabetes® by participating in the American Diabetes Association’s Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes event. Step Out is a fundraising walk that takes place in more than 140 cities to raise awareness about diabetes and to raise much needed funds to help change the future of this growing epidemic that is taking a physical, emotional and financial toll on our country.
Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes is a family event for those who want to become involved in the community and help change the future of diabetes. Participants can walk as an individual or create a team and walk with friends, family, and co-workers.
Do you want to show what it is like to live with diabetes? The American Diabetes Association is also looking for Red Striders. A Red Strider is a person with diabetes who has a passion to stop diabetes and is willing to put a face on this disease by helping others understand what it takes to live with — and fight — this serious disease.
“On the day of Step Out, it is very important to recognize all of the people with diabetes,” said Christine Schaeberle, founder of one of the first Red Strider programs in Colorado. “By wearing red hats that signify that we are living with diabetes, we are able to recognize people with diabetes who are taking steps to stop diabetes.”
Join Christine and other Red Striders in the movement to Stop Diabetes as they ‘Step Out’ this year wearing their Red Strider red hats.
“The Red Strider program really opened my eyes to the fact that I am not alone and I am joined by so many other people who are living with diabetes. For people who participate in Step Out and don’t have diabetes themselves, this is a way for them to see the many faces of diabetes and reinforce the fact that diabetes affects people of all ages and ethnicities. These are the faces that encourage me to walk, and I am inspired to do all that I can do to fight this disease each and every day. I am encouraged to share my story with the hope that other people will join me in raising money to stop diabetes,” added Schaeberle.
Today, there are nearly 24 million children and adults in the United States who have diabetes. While nearly 18 million people have been diagnosed, there are 5.7 million people who don’t even know that they have the disease. If present trends continue, 1 in 3 Americans, and 1 in 2 minorities, will face a future with diabetes. To date, the American Diabetes Association has raised and donated more than $450 million for diabetes research.
National sponsors of Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes include Equal® Sweetener, Pure Via™ All Natural Zero Calorie Sweetener, Cary’s® Sugar Free Syrup and Walmart. Be a part of the cure and start raising money today. To register, volunteer or find out more information, please visit diabetes.org/stepout or call 1-888-DIABETES. Together we can stop diabetes. One step at a time.
About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to stop diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure, and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, its mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.
Contact:
Angela Murray
1-800-676-4065 ext. 3425
[email protected]
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