DIVERSE GROUPS UNITE FOR COMMON CAUSE: THE FIGHT AGAINST DIABETES

Jackson, Miss. – They represent department stores, churches, hospitals, pharmacies, law firms, power companies, schools, banks and a vast array of other organizations and businesses in the greater Jackson area. And they bring with them a mixed bag of talents and interests.

Yet, in spite of these differences, they meet under a single banner– sharing their passion to fight diabetes and providing hope for all who live with this chronic illness.

On Sunday, October 21, hundreds of people from the tri-county area will walk for a cure in the 14th annual Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi Walk for Diabetes. The walk, which is held at Southern Farm Bureau off of Interstate 220 at the Watkins Drive exit, will feature not only the walk, but also kids’ activities, food, music and more. Most importantly, 100 percent of donations and monies raised will stay in Mississippi to support DFM’s mission of service to Mississippians with diabetes.

“When we come together in support of each other, it shows our love for one another and our state,” said Louise Mack, team captain for the Division of Medicaid in Jackson. “I love it.”

It’s important to show compassion for people, especially those with some type of illness, she said, and the Division of Medicaid has been volunteering with the Walk for Diabetes for at least four years.

Mack’s family has a history of diabetes, and even though she doesn’t have diabetes, she continues to take all of the preventive measures to take care of herself– starting with DFM’s Jackson walk. She also encourages her family to exercise regularly and eat healthy, she said.

“One of my passions is people– it’s good to help others,” Mack said.

And Mack is not alone in her desire to serve others through raising money and awareness about all of the diabetes services offered by DFM, which include providing diabetes research, information, patient services and advocacy to Mississippians with and at-risk for diabetes.

“This is a great time for people to come together for a cause,” said Sonja Fuqua, a team captain for the Jackson Heart Study.

For the past four years, Fuqua has participated in the walk. She said the walk is very personal to her.

“I’m running from diabetes,” said Fuqua, who walked in her mother’s honor last year and raised $2,000 by herself for the cause by sending letters to all of her friends and family.

Even if diabetes wasn’t genetic, she said, “It’s just a fun way to raise money.”

“The support that the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi has given to me, the staff, parents and students at JPS has been invaluable,” said Peggy Murphy, a team captain and school nurse with the Jackson Public School System’s HealthChec program.

DFM representatives have spoken to the schools’ staffs, children and parents about diabetes. They have provided information to them about recognizing the symptoms of diabetes, which helps not only in identifying undiagnosed students and staffing the school system that may have diabetes, but people in the community as well, Murphy said.

DFM provided support for the children and made age-specific diabetes packages for them, which included low blood-sugar emergency kits, glucose meters, T-shirts, educational books and parent information, among other things, Murphy said.

“Children are already so self-conscious, and to be different is hard,” Murphy said. “But once they find out that they’re not alone, it makes a big difference. Because the DFM offers the children and their parents the opportunity to go to camp with other children with diabetes, this reinforces to them that they are not alone in coping with the disease.”

It means a lot to the parents of the children, too, she said. The DFM provides the parents of newly-diagnosed children with contacts, advice and other help.

“If I ever need anything, I know that I can count on them,” said Murphy. “The students, their families and our staff at JPS are so important, and to know that I can call the DFM at any time for assistance is the greatest source of comfort to me. It helps me to do a better job in my role as a school nurse.”

The educational materials provided by DFM have proven to be very helpful to other groups as well, including the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, which has walked with DFM for the past four years and has partnered with them for patient referrals even longer, said Natalie Wagner, a team captain and director of consumer relations for MDRS.

If MDRS hears about someone with no knowledge of diabetes, referrals can be made to DFM who can contact the individual about assistance.

“It gives our staff an educational tool– awareness,” Wagner said. “We work with the disabled every day, serving people with a variety of disabilities, so having a greater awareness and knowledge of diabetes helps us to serve our consumers better.”

The DFM is the state’s only nonprofit health organization that provides diabetes research, information, patient services and advocacy. The mission of the Foundation is to provide hope through research, programs and service to the 346,500 Mississippians with diabetes, and 100 percent of the funds raised by the Foundation stay in the state to finance these opportunities.

Likewise, 90 cents of every dollar raised goes towards the Foundation's charitable purposes. The DFM is the one diabetes organization totally dedicated to all Mississippians from children to seniors, who live with diabetes.

For more information about forming a team and getting involved with Mississippi’s Walk for Diabetes, please contact Irena McClain at 601-957-7878 or visit the Web site at www.msdiabetes.org for online registration and additional information.