March 25, 2008 is
America Diabetes Alert Day, a one-day health observation meant to inform the American public about the seriousness of diabetes. Use this day to learn how to prevent and control diabetes, its complications, and take steps towards better overall health.
So, in honor of this day, I wanted to take a minute to let people know that I am running
Marine Corps Marathon again! What does that have to do with diabetes? Well, those of you who know me well know that I need some serious motivation to commit myself to a six-month training program and 500 miles — and now that I have been through it before I am also committing to early Saturday morning runs, $300 in running swag, skin abrasions, body glide, gu, knee pain, blisters, and probably bleeding toes and other body parts.
Bring it on!!!!
I am motivated - and very excited - to run for the charity “
Diabetes Action“, an official MCM charity and their “Run to Conquer Diabetes”. I chose this group because I have a family history of diabetes - and chances are you do too or you at least know someone who does. It’s also no secret that diabetes, nutrition, and physical activity are tightly linked. I am passionate about good nutrition and exercise habits for good health. I hope my involvement with this charity helps to raise awareness and increases knowledge among all people about diabetes, how to avoid it, and how to live a quality life if you get it.
There is one other reason why I decided to run again this year. I ran my first marathon in 2002. That same year I started on a path to becoming a nutrition professional. At the time I knew very little about nutrition (although I thought I knew a lot thanks to all my diet book reading - ha!). I realized my road ahead would be long and tiring and I would probably want to give up really bad - kind of like mile 17-22 in a real marathon. Yes, there were times I felt like giving up. But I stuck with it. Now it’s 2008 and I am about a month away from finishing my “nutrition marathon”. Could there be a more perfect way to honor my achievements by finishing how I started? I think not. So another marathon it is… like bookmarks framing my experiences these past 6 years.
Here’s some more information about Diabetes Alert Day below. It’s from the CDC and their website has
even more details. Oh, and if you are wondering where my shameless plea for donations is located, it’s not in this post. But don’t worry… you’ll get your chance.
America Diabetes Alert Day is March 25. This one-day health observation helps to inform the American public about the seriousness of diabetes.
Diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high levels of blood sugar (also known as blood glucose) resulting from inaction or defects in production of insulin, a hormone that helps the body use blood glucose for energy.
Deadly, debilitating, and costly, diabetes affects the lives of millions of people in different ways. Whether it’s living with diabetes, caring for a loved one or family member with diabetes, experiencing healthcare costs due to diabetes and related complications, or any combination thereof, diabetes significantly impacts the day-to-day lives of people across the county.
Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death, and more than more than 20 million Americans have diabetes. Of these people living with diabetes, 6 million do not know they have it.
The lifetime risk for diabetes for people born in the United States in 2000 is:
• For all Americans: 1 of 3
• For African Americans and Hispanics: 2 of 5
• For Hispanics girls and women: 1 of 2
According to the American Diabetes Association, the cost of diabetes in the U.S. in 2007 was as follows:
• Total costs (direct and indirect): $174 billion
• Direct medical costs: $116 billion
• Indirect costs (related to disability, work loss, premature death): $58 billion
• Cost of caring for someone with diagnosed diabetes: $1 out of every $5 in total healthcare costs
