Middlebury Residents in Stride for Diabetes

Author: Andrea LaRocca

This weekend, Middlebury citizens not only took a stand but also took a walk - for five miles in the pouring rain - to show their support for continued diabetes research. About 40 walkers participated in the Middlebury Walk for Diabetes, which began at Porter Medical Center at 10 a.m. on Sunday.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) sponsored the walk, which was run by Middlebury volunteers, some who are affiliated with the ADA but others who are just concerned citizens. "It doesn't matter what group we're from - we're all here because we care about the future of diabetes," said Jeanette Webber, a member of the Colchester-based Vermont chapter of the ADA.

And care Vermont does. Last year, the Vermont chapter of the ADA raised $100,000 through sponsoring seven such diabetes walks throughout the state. This money was put towards diabetes research, education, awareness and advocacy efforts of both the Vermont ADA and the national ADA. These fundraising efforts particularly resonate within this state, the state with the third-highest diabetes-related death rate in the United States. A great deal of diabetes-tagged money is directed towards Vermont as a result. During the last three years, over $1.6 million has been allocated to the state, particularly to the University of Vermont, for diabetes research.

Still, Webber says that some of the most important advances in the future of diabetes are made outside the laboratories at small ADA events such as Sunday's walk: "The more people who are aware, the better chance diabetes has for finding a cure, so even walks are important." Educational materials, such as posters and brochures, decorated Porter Medical Center and informed walkers of diabetes statistics, such as the fact that 35,000 people suffer from diabetes in Vermont. Overall, 17 million people suffer from diabetes in the country, and nearly one-third of these people are unaware of their illness.

As thanks for their time and contribution, walkers were rewarded with promotional T-shirts, post-walk ADA goody bags and refreshments donated from local restaurants such as American Flatbread and Baba's.

Several other ADA events will take place throughout Vermont this year, including two other walks this weekend in Burlington and Brattleboro.

Through these events, the Vermont ADA is hoping to raise as much money as they did last year and, most of all, to further raise diabetes awareness.

More information about the walks and the organization can be found at www.diabetes.org or by contacting the Vermont ADA.