Diabetes Awareness Month brought students to the Student Recreation Center to educate them about diabetes on Nov. 12.
This educational event raised diabetes awareness while encouraging healthy habits and exercise for students. For every lap a student took, they received a piece of a sticker that was used to assemble a badge to show their support for diabetes awareness. In addition to making a badge, students will receive a raffle ticket to enter to win a prize.
President of Gamma Phi Omega and secondary education senior Megan Powell organized the walk at the indoor track with more than just educating students about diabetes in mind.
“This benefits the students of Ferris because, for some of them, they don’t know about the indoor track, and this is their first experience seeing the track on campus,” Powell said. “It’s also beneficial to get them out and moving, especially when it’s starting to get colder outside. We’re all wanting to stay inside and huddle up in the warmth. This event is encouraging movement and healthy habits.”
Diabetes can affect anyone from any age group. The three main types of diabetes include Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. A recent CDC report showed that about 38 million people in the US have diabetes. 29.7 million people, including 29.4 million adults marked as diagnosed, and 8.7 million people, with 22.8% of adults with diabetes in that number, are undiagnosed.
This would mean there are approximately one in five people who don’t know they have diabetes. Walking can help with many health problems; in the case of diabetes, it can help lower blood sugar levels.
Powell further explained how the walk has become an annual event for their sorority’s mission to educate students about diabetes.
“So whether you are diabetic or not, walking is a good form of exercise that will help lower blood glucose levels,” Powell said. “As diabetes tends to make those sugars go up, walking, even though it’s not a rigorous exercise, will help bring those glucose levels down.”
In cases with pre-diabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than the normal rate. The CDC explained how type 2 and pre-diabetes can easily be treated with a few lifestyle changes. No one knows how to prevent Type 1 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association also noted that walking lowers blood pressure and increases good HDL cholesterol.
Operations supply management junior Carla Garcia showed her support by walking the track with her friends.
“I think it’s pretty fun. It’s a good way to know different types of diseases and illnesses, and it’s a pretty fun way because you get a workout while you’re doing it too,” Garcia said. “I have a family history with diabetes, so I know a lot of my culture and stuff. They deal with a lot of diabetes, high cholesterol and all that.”
The walk did not only offer physical health, but a way for students to get started with working out. While some students like Garcia gained more knowledge about diabetes, others used the event to pay tribute to friends and family members.
Radiography junior Alivia Lis walked the track alongside a friend in support of a family member.
“My grandma has diabetes, so I wanted to do it for her,” Lis said. “There was a good description online of what it would be, so I had the gist when I got here.”
Gamma Phi Omega actively supports the American Diabetes Association, donating the money they raise during events to the American Diabetes Association. However, this event was different.
Philanthropy Chair of Gamma Phi Omega Massiel Calderon organized the logistics behind the walk and provided some insights.
“Tonight is more educational because we’re not asking anyone for donations,” Massiel said. “Some of our events are centered around education of diabetes and health, but some are also centered around raising funds.”
Gamma Phi Omega hoped that the participants in the walk would be able to leave with more awareness of diabetes.