SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings and American Diabetes Association Partner to Find Cure

Published on March 11, 2003 under SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss.— The RiverKings and the American Diabetes Association are teaming up to find a cure for diabetes when the RiverKings spotlight the non-profit organization and its mission during the March 16th RiverKings game against the Austin Ice Bats.

The American Diabetes Association (A.D.A.) is selling tickets to the March 16 game and will receive the profits. The organization will also have a booth on the concourse and bean bag animals for $5 to help raise funds for diabetes research. To support A.D.A. through buying tickets, call 662-342-1755 and ask for MeLissa Thompson.

Diabetes is a disease characterized by the body's inability either to produce insulin or to use insulin properly to control blood glucose, or "sugar" levels. When out of control as a result of diabetes, blood sugar can act as a poison in the body. The damgae most often caused is damage to the nerves and blood vessels, which can result in blindness, hear attack, stroke and limb amputation.

"If left untreated, the disease causes complications that are unreversible and leave an impact on an individual's ability to function," said Jessica Hoffman, area manager of the West Tennessee Area of the American Diabetes Association.

The American Diabetes Association is waging a battle to educate the general public about diabetes and its connected symptoms. One way the organization is trying to raise awareness is through its African American Iniative called Diabetes Sundays, which is conducted through predominantly African American churches.

"Because the Greater Memphis/North Mississippi are is the number 10 market in the nation for African Americans affected by diabetes, we want to increase awareness about the seriousness of diabetes in the African American community," Hoffman said.

Based on studies by the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institute of Health and the American Diabetes Association, in this Memphis area alone, there are about 100,000 people with diabetes. Of those, 25 to 30 percent do not know they have it. For every person with diabetes, there are an additional 2.5 people that are also affected by the disease.

"When someone has diabetes, it requires a complete lifestyle change: what they eat, what kind of activities they do," Hoffman said. "It requires the awareness of the people around them to monitor them and know if anything's wrong. Sometimes blood sugar levels can change in an instant, and what is done to treat that can mean the difference between life and death."

"Persons diagnosed with diabetes nationwide is up," Hoffman said. "We have more and more people affected by it. It's getting to the point where the disease is significantly affecting health care costs and the way of life of a nation."

Hoffman said that in addition to the high costs of diagnosing, maintaining and controlling the disease, people are incurring large one-time health care costs, as people with diabetes are more prone to heart attack and stroke in addition to blindness and limb amputation.

Other A.D.A. awareness campaigns include the School Walk Campaign, in which schools get up to a 15 percent return on the money they raise to purchase physical education equipment. Recent years have seen a sharp increase of Type 2 diabetes in children, whose onset can be aggravated by inactivity, improper eating habits and obesity.

Other programs include A.D.A.'s signature event, "America's Walk for Diabetes," Sept. 27; the 2003 Annual Black Tie Gala and Auction, "Celebrating Women and Diabetes," May 10; and 2003 Spring Classic Golf Tournament at South Wind, May 19.

The RiverKings will feature A.D.A. on March 16 at the DeSoto Civic Center, located just 15 minutes south of downtown Memphis, when the RiverKings host the Indianapolis Ice. Face-off is set for 6:05 p.m. For tickets call (662)-342-1755 or go online to www.RiverKings.com and use the Ticketmaster link.

· Who: The RiverKings

· What: A fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association

· When: Sunday, March 16 at 6:05 p.m.

· Where: The DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, 15 minutes south of downtown Memphis

· How to get more information or tickets: Call (662)-342-1755 and ask for MeLissa Thompson or go online to www.RiverKings.com and use the Ticketmaster link.

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

· This coming Friday when the ‘Kings host the New Mexico Scorpions all upper bowl tickets are just $5. Also water bottles courtesy of the DeSoto Athletic Club will be given to the first 1,500 fans, plus skate on the DCC ice after the game.

· Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South, Inc. will sell commemorative pucks Friday and Saturday for $5. Average cost of granting a wish is $5,000. The organization made $2,000 this weekend, thanks to RiverKings fans who by their purchase will help grant the wish of a child with a life-threatening illness to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.

· Saturday join the ‘Kings for a President's Cup Finals rematch as they host the Austin Ice Bats. The RiverKings will wear special commemorative jerseys from Bumpus Harley Davidson of Memphis. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game with the profits benefiting Cystic Fibrosis and the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi. Also Don Parsons will be honored by Just Hockey Magazine as the Minor League Player of the Year during the first intermission.

· Sunday is the final game of the regular season as the ‘Kings host the Indianapolis Ice on Fan Appreciation night. Join the ‘Kings after the game for a post-game skate with the whole team, plus great giveaways. The American Diabetes Association will be the RiverKings' featured non-profit of the night.

ON THE AIR

Catch the RiverKings on the air when they take on the Oklahoma City Blazers tonight on RiverKings Radio Easy 680 AM – WJCE. The pre-game show starts at 7:15 PM, face-off at 7:35 PM. For the latest stats, scores and more go online to www.RiverKings.com.

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