Lado A Lado program fighting diabetes,
plans Apr. 12 Diabetes Walkathon

Our community is facing the growing problem of diabetes, which has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. It is estimated that approximately one million Texans have type 2 diabetes, and half a million have diabetes and don’t know it. By 2010, the prevalence of diabetes in Texas alone is expected to increase from 6.3 percent to 12.7 percent. Here in Webb County, a recent survey showed that one out of six (16.67%) Laredoans over the age of 18 has diabetes and another eight percent are undiagnosed. What is even more alarming and troubling is the disturbing trend in the number of cases seen in children.
What is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body is not able to use sugar as it should. High blood sugar can damage the heart, arteries, eyes, nerves, teeth, gums, and kidneys, and can lead to serious health problems. At its worst, diabetes can lead to blindness, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and amputations. Diabetes can be a silent killer.
Gateway Community Health Center believes that while basic science research helps to provide answers to fundamental questions, a part of the answer also lies with a good, strong diabetes educational prevention program. These intervention activities, however, require a concerted effort and commitment by all segments of the community.
Currently, we are in the process of coordinating our first annual Diabetes Walkathon scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2003, at the Laredo Entertainment Center. The Walkathon will consist of a three-mile walk (five km) from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., followed by a health fair from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Both individual and group registrations of all ages are encouraged. T-shirts will be given to all participants along with other prizes including a raffle for a color TV and autographed hockey sticks signed by all members of the Laredo Bucks hockey team.
The planning committee for this event includes the City of Laredo, Texas A&M International University, Laredo Bucks, Laredo Entertainment Center, Webb County District Attorney’s Office, Office of Border Health, Office of Border Affairs -- Health & Human Services Commission, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio - Laredo Campus, Mercy Hospital, Texas Commission for the Blind, Cooperative Extension Program - Prairie View A&M University, and Gateway Community Health Center, Inc.
For further information regarding the Diabetes Walkathon, please contact Marta Stineff, Project Coordinator for the Lado A Lado program, at (956) 795-8130 Ext. 70.