SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Did you know that 16 million Americans
have diabetes and one-third of them don't even know it? This was just one
of the billboards participants in “America's Walk for Diabetes”
passed by at a fundraising walk held on September 15, which took place around
Lake Merced Park in San Francisco.
Despite overcast skies and chilly weather, the six-mile walk was enjoyed by about 151 participants who together pulled in approximately $26,000, as part of a larger campaign to raise funds for research in finding a cure to this debilitating disease. The campaign is directed by the American Diabetes Association, based in Alexandria, Virginia.
“It was a success and we will continue this program,” said San Francisco Bay Area District Manager Deborah Jackson.
The regional sponsor of this event was Kaiser Permanente, while Equal Sweetener
was the national sponsor. Local sponsors included San Francisco's Stars
Restaurant, which provided lunch for the walkers, and Trader Joe's which
brought in bagels, juice and fruit for breakfast before the walk.
Vernon Glen, a local sportscaster at NBC affiliate Channel 4 in San Francisco, was Master of Ceremonies. His association with sports and fitness was the reason the popular face was chosen for this event.
Walkers were able to enjoy live jazz music of the Bob Schoen Quintet as they munched away on salads after the walk, which on average took about three hours.
“This is my first walk and it really makes me happy to be able do this for a good cause while having a great time — it's a win-win situation,” said participant, Sara.
Research for treating and curing this illness is expensive due to the complexity of the problem. For example, about 500 to one million people have type 1 diabetes, most being children 10 to 12 years old. Examining the roots of the problem, trying out various medications and keeping treatment safe is costly. Events like this seek to raise both funds and awareness of the problem, in hopes of prevention.
Two more such walkathons are planned in the Bay Area: September
9 at the Pacific Bell Complex in San Ramon, and October 6 at Jack London
Square in Oakland. Similar events are held around the country, and interested
participants, volunteers and sponsors can find information on the Diabetes
Foundation Web site at: www.diabetes.org.