Ride, Run, Walk For Diabetes
Last updated Saturday, October 11, 2008 11:12 PM CDT in Our Town
By Bettina Lehovec
THE MORNING NEWS
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ROGERS -- Josie Samarin’s T-shirt said it all.
“Walking for my daddy,” it read. Josie, 1, and sister Alexis, 6, joined parents Joe and Alisha Samarin at the fifth annual Tour de Cure for the American Diabetes Association on Saturday.
Joe Samarin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes six years ago, Alisha explained. He needs four insulin shots a day to stay alive.
“It’s been a life changing event for all of us -- especially for him,” she said. “He’s still young. We’d like to have a cure in his lifetime.”
The family took part in a 5K walk, the tamest event offered during the day. Other events were a 5K run, a half marathon run and 20, 50 and 100 mile bicycle rides.
All started from The Shoppes at Pinnacle Hills in Rogers and ended with a sponsored lunch and health festival.
Some 1,000 runners, walkers and riders had registered before the event began, said Jon Brusherd, chairman of the event. The beautiful weather likely brought more out.
“We couldn’t ask for more perfect weather,” he said. Brusherd’s daughter, Kristin, 10, served as starter for the various events. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 6.
Organizers hoped to raise $278,000, said media coordinator George Shelton. The money will benefit ADA research, advocacy and educational programming.
“We want to draw attention to diabetes,” said Ryan Brown, captain of Team Red, a team of about 75 participants who have diabetes. “We want to get people out and going -- draw people together for support.”
Diabetes affects some 23.6 million people in the United States -- nearly eight percent of the population -- according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Nearly a quarter are unaware they have it.
It’s the seventh leading cause of death. Complications include heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, nervous system damage, amputations, dental disease and complications of pregnancy.
The nationwide cost was estimated to be $174 billion last year, according to the CDC.
The health festival which followed the athletic events featured health information and screenings from a number of area professionals. Children’s activities, music and food rounded out the offerings. Carrabba’s Italian Grill provided lunch for people who raised at least $150 -- the minimum requirement for all bicycle events. Eddie Haskell’s beer garden offered free brew.
More than 50 family and corporate teams pre-registered for the various events, said Lori Bramlett, who will take the helm of the local ADA on Monday. They came to help raise money and show their solidarity for those with the disease.
“Both my grandparents have diabetes,” said Lindsey Wilson, walking with the Wal-Mart corporate team. “My grandpa lost his toe and almost lost his leg. It’s a very impactful disease.”
Fast Facts
American Diabetes Association
Mission: To prevent and cure diabetes and improve the lives of people affected by diabetes through research, advocacy and education.
Information: 464-4121, www.diabetes.org.
Source: Staff Report
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