This article is sponsored by American Diabetes Association. To register for their event Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes in Philadelphia presented by Independence Blue Cross, click here.
Close to 26 million Americans suffer from diabetes, the seventh deadliest disease in the nation.
This disease hits particularly close to home in Philadelphia, a city with a three percent higher rate of diabetes than the national average. In fact, diabetes alone costs our city roughly $850 million per year.
But there's good news: We have a chance to act locally, helping raise money to fund research for a cure. On Sunday, October 5, some 5,000 walkers will congregate at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for the annual Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes in Philadelphia, a charity walk and social event that covers 3.2 miles and expects to bring in $700,000 in 2013.
Luckily there's still time to sign up, and getting involved couldn't be easier. Simply register for Step Out here, where you can choose to form a team, join a team or participate as an individual. Once registered, you will automatically be provided with a personal web page that is completely customizable and gives you a pledge page for your fund-raising efforts.
“The money and awareness raised through Step Out makes the event one of the most important days in our continued fight against this deadly disease,” said Greater Philadelphia Associate Director Liz Scoropanos. “We have a huge problem with diabetes in Philadelphia and across our country. Step Out is a way for us to unite as a city and show that we are not going to let the current trends continue.”
In addition to funding diabetes research, the money raised at Step Out will go to ADA’s community-based education programs, protecting the rights of people with diabetes, and funding critical research for a cure. And event day highlights include NBC10's own Jacqueline London, who will be MCing the festivities, as well as Red Strider Outreach members for members of the Philadelphia community living with diabetes and a Kid Zone and Health Festival opening at 8 a.m.
So head over to diabetes.org/stepoutphilly and get involved with this fun-filled, feel-good event and help put an end to diabetes.
