Walk to Fight Diabetes is coming to Calhoun County
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| Jessica Byrd, center, 2009 Step Out Youth Ambassador for the annual diabetes walk joins her parents Michelle and Robert Byrd, left and Carol Barr and Julie Higgs, right of the BCHS diabetes center in encouraging the community to support this year's event on October 3, at Binder Park Zoo. For information or to register, call (888) DIABETES, ext. 6711 or visit www.diabetes.org/stepout. Missing from photo was Samantha Cole, the other 2009 Youth Ambassador. |
On Saturday, October 3, hundreds of residents from West Michigan will join the battle against diabetes and raise much-needed funds to help find a cure as part of the American Diabetes Association's 'Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes' campaign.
The Binder Park Zoo at 7400 Division Drive in Battle Creek will serve as backdrop for the ninth annual diabetes walk in Calhoun County. Walkers and volunteers from Kalamazoo and Calhoun Counties will have the opportunity to observe dozens of species of exotic and local wildlife along the two-mile Walk route while they are raising monies for diabetes programs.
Check-in for Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes begins at 8 a.m. at the zoo's picnic pavilion area. The Walk starts promptly at 9 a.m.
"About 1 in every 18 Americans has diabetes, and a third of them don't even know it," says Carol Barr, RD, CDE, a registered dietician at the BCHS Diabetes Center. "In Michigan, alone, over 800,000 people have diabetes and an additional 1.5 million have pre-diabetes. The ADA's 'Step Out' walk is a healthful and fun way for the community to come together for a good cause. The ADA spends around $1 million in Michigan each year in research."
The American Diabetes Association is seeking walkers and team captains. For information or to register, call (888) DIABETES, ext. 6711 or visit www.diabetes.org/stepout.
Diabetes, the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.
Type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes, can develop at any age, but the greatest incidence is in girls ages 10-12 and boys ages 12-14. In this type of diabetes, the pancreas loses the ability to make insulin. People with Type 1 diabetes must follow a healthy meal plan and take injections of insulin every day.
Type 2 diabetes, which most often occurs in people over age 40 and in those who are overweight or obese, is now on the rise in eighth-grade age children and younger who are obese and do not exercise. This type of diabetes can often be controlled through healthy eating, exercise and oral medications.
Battle Creek Health System Diabetes Center is recognized by the American Diabetes Association for quality, self-management, education, and is certified by Michigan Department of Community Health. The center offers diabetes physician support services, case management, professional and clinical staff education, clinical interventions, and patient education. It also offers the only accredited program in Calhoun County recognized by the American Diabetes Association.
Facts about diabetes
Do you know the warning signs of diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that can lead to blindness, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and amputations. Symptoms of diabetes may include extreme thirst, frequent urination, and/or unexplained weight loss.
Who has diabetes?
More than 24 million Americans have the disease; many don't even know it.
Who is at risk?
If you are a member of one of the following groups:
African American
American Indian
Asian American
Hispanic/Latino
Pacific Islander
If you are over the age of 45
If you are under active or over weight
If someone in your family has or had diabetes
If you are woman who has had a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth
Diabetes Ambassadors
Calhoun County has selected two individuals who are serving as 2009 Step Out Youth Ambassadors for this year's annual diabetes walk.
Jessica Byrd is a 14-year-old Battle Creek student who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in January 2009. She went to the doctor's office for a well-child check where they found ketones and glucose in a routine urinalysis; her A1C was 12.2. She was admitted to the hospital for testing. Following extensive education and treatment, Jessica went home. She now follows an intensive management of her diabetes by checking her blood sugar six to eight times a day.
Jessica is in 8th grade. Like most teenagers, she enjoys hanging out with her friends. She plays volleyball, swims, and loves horses. She hopes to be a horse trainer some day.
Samantha Cole is 9 years old and lives in Marshall. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in August, 2008. Her symptoms were typical: weight loss, constantly thirsty, and frequent use of the bathroom. Her family doctor diagnosed her disease and she was admitted to the hospital to get her blood sugar under control.
She is an active 3rd grader but has to interrupt her fun by having to take her shots. She looks forward to when she can use an insulin pump. Samantha enjoys soccer and riding her bike. She continually amazes her family and friends by being so positive about her disease.
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