This year, 2,000 walkers will come together across the South Plains to fight diabetes, and Red Striders will be part of the American Diabetes Association’s Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes event on Saturday, September 23, at Mackenzie Park in Lubbock.
Red Striders are people with diabetes who are part of the Stop Diabetes movement by raising awareness of diabetes and raising money to help change the future of the disease by participating in American Diabetes Association-sponsored walks across the country. Representing people with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes, Red Striders know what it means to have diabetes and they want others to understand that diabetes is a serious disease that can have deadly consequences.
This year’s Ambassador is Riley Arthus (TTU sophomore) and Youth Ambassador is Pierce Jackson (6th grader at Miller Elementary). Riley is planning to become a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) and CDE (Certified Diabetes Educator). She compares living with T1D to running a marathon with no finish line (YET!) She is an active member in her sorority and participates in many other organizations on campus. Pierce is part of the Gifted and Talented Program, has been honored with the Future Plainsman Award, and is an LISD scholar medal recipient. He loves to read and enjoys infinite amounts of video games. Both Riley and Pierce will participate in the American Diabetes Association’s first day camp for children and teens with type 1 diabetes, Camp NoHiLo, which is supported by the Step Out Walk. Neither Riley nor Pierce has let diabetes slow them down!
“There are many faces of diabetes and it can affect anyone regardless of age, ethnicity, or social status.” said Riley Arthus, Ambassador. “Recognition as a Red Strider is important to me because it gives me a chance to be with other people who really know what it’s like to live with diabetes. Participation in this event will be a good day for me because the Lubbock and surrounding communities are coming together to raise money to stop diabetes.”
Today, there are more than 34,000 people in Lubbock County who have diabetes. If current trends continue, one in three American adults will have diabetes by 2050.
Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes provides an opportunity for employees, friends and family to come together for a fun, healthy activity. It’s an event for anyone who wants to support the Association and raise critical funds that will help Stop Diabetes. To register, volunteer or find out more information, please visit www.diabetes.org/stepoutlubbock or call 806-794-0691. Together we can stop diabetes. One step at a time.
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.
(News release from the American Diabetes Association Lubbock)
