On October 15, the American Diabetes Association Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes will take place Saturday at the Great Lawn at Waterfront Park . Registration begins at 8:00 am. and the 5K walk/run and 1 mile walk will begin at 9:00 a.m. The Step Out event is the American Diabetes Association’s signature fundraising walk taking place in nearly 160 cities across the United States. University of Louisville’s Darrell Griffith is the Honorary Walk Chair. “Our goal is to raise money to find a cure for nearly 26 million Americans living with diabetes and to help improve their lives.” says Griffith. He added “over 79 million Americans are at risk for developing pre-diabetes. It kills more people annually than breast cancer and AIDS combined!
The day of the event is a celebration to acknowledge the fundraising accomplishments of Step Out teams and individual participants as well as an opportunity to promote awareness about diabetes in the local community. Presenting sponsors of Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes are Kroger and Kindred Healthcare. Other major sponsors include: WHAS-11, L & N Federal Credit Union, Stock Yards Bank & Trust, University of Louisville and The Eye Care Institute.
“We anticipate over 2000 participants this year.” says ADA Director Helen Overfield. “Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in our community. Over 400,000 Kentuckians have diabetes. If current health trends continue, one in three children born after year 2000, will face diabetes in their lifetime. For minorities, that statistic rises to 1 in 2!”
The Walk is a family friendly event that will feature a children’s play area with arts &crafts, games and activities for young ones to enjoy. Healthy breakfast options will be provided after the walk, and a Health and Wellness Festival will feature various vendors specializing in healthy living for people with and without diabetes. Participants with diabetes are known as Red Striders and are given special recognition and complimentary goody bags at the walk. Corporate teams, Families, individuals and even pets on leashes are welcome! Funds raised will help fund research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; deliver educational services to our community; provide objective and credible information; and give voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes.
The mission of the American Diabetes Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The ADA is the only national organization that advocates and funds research for both Type 1 (insulin dependent) and Type 2 diabetes as well as gestational diabetes (during pregnancy).
To register a team or as an individual, visit http://main.diabetes.org/stepoutlouisville Please contact Helen Overfield (hoverfield@diabetes.org) or April Enix(aenix@diabetes.org) for more information or call (502)452-6072 ext 3317
Contact Information
- , Louisville, KY
- 502.452.6072 ext. 3317
Event Time
- Friday, October 14, 2011
- 8:00 PM