This year, thousands of people in communities across the country will Join the Millions in the fight to Stop Diabetes® by participating in Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes®, one of the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA’s) premier fundraising events. During the next few months, 108 walks are scheduled to take place to raise funds that are critical to change the future of the disease. Last year, more than 110,000 walkers raised nearly $24 million to support the Association’s mission.
Walking is one of the best methods of exercise and helps control blood glucose levels and improves overall quality of life. Step Out is a walk that allows everyone to participate regardless of mobility or fitness level. With route options ranging from one to six miles, participants can walk as an individual or create a team and walk with friends, family, and co-workers. There are many different types and sizes of teams at the Step Out events. Corporate teams, family teams, school teams, and clubs and organizations are all welcome to participate. Since diabetes is a major cause of lower-limb amputation and many amputees either already have the disease or are at increased risk for it, amputees might want to walk as individuals or establish teams to participate.
The Association is also looking for Red Striders to join in the events. A Red Strider is a person with diabetes who participates in Step Out and puts a face on this serious disease by helping others understand what it takes to live with-and fight-diabetes.
“Step Out is a great event where communities across the country join together in a fun environment to help Stop Diabetes®, and every step and every dollar is bringing us closer to ending the disease,” said Mitch Lenett, an ADA volunteer who is also a Red Strider. “As a person who has lived with type 1 diabetes for 45 years and a father to my daughter Carly, who is also living with the disease, walking side by side with other Red Striders is a powerful experience, and we enjoy meeting new friends along the way.”
Today, nearly 30 million Americans have diabetes. While an estimated 21 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 8.1 million people are unaware that they have the disease. If current trends continue, one in three American adults will have diabetes by 2050.
To register, volunteer, or learn more, please visit diabetes.org/stepout or call 1-888-DIABETES.
This article was adapted from information provided by the ADA.