CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings to help at 'America's Walk for Diabetes'

Published on September 27, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


Memphis—This weekend, participants in "America' Walk for Diabetes" walked, ran, waddled and turtled their way down a beautiful course through Galloway Estates to raise money and awareness for the American Diabetes Association—including RiverKings mascots RiverThing and Sheldon.

‘Thing and Sheldon showed up before the walk to energize and entertain participants. Before the walk began, walkers and runners were able to visit diabetic health information and specialty booths, listen to live music and meet other participants. ABC 24 and UPN 30 evening news anchor Dee Griffin was also on hand for the event. Major supporters included Kroger food stores, Clear Channel Communications television and Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW) company.

The RiverKings team booth helped raise money for ADA by allowing folks to practice their hockey swing at the Cellular South Slapshot Inflatable for $3 a turn; and by selling $13 game tickets, of which $8 per ticket was given to ADA. The team also provided raffle prizes to three lucky participants, Katie Putten, Ginny Barton and Phil Hill.

RiverKings ‘Kings With A Cause club member Brigette McKee came out to lend a hand. McKee, an avid RiverKings fan for 14 years, lost her husband four years ago to complications as a result of diabetes.

"I want to show my support for ADA and the RiverKings," McKee said. "This is my second year to be a part of this event, and I think it is bigger and better than last year. There are a lot of people here."

David Stephens, American Diabetes Executive Director for West Tennessee and North Mississippi Area, said more than 1,300 volunteers and participants took part in this year's walk to help raise more than $150,000 for diabetes research, advocacy and educational initiatives.

"This year we had a huge increase in new participants," Stephens said. "The good news is that more organizations are getting involved—but on the downside it means that more people are being affected by this disease. That's why events like these are so important. In the North Mississippi-Memphis area alone, there are about 125,000 people with diabetes. Of those, 40 percent do not know they have it. These events help people who are affected and their families get the aid they need."

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. In addition, the Greater Memphis/North Mississippi area is the number 10 market in the nation for African Americans affected by diabetes.

Diabetes is significantly affecting health care costs, Stephens said, as people with diabetes are more prone to heart attack and stroke, in addition to receiving dialysis treatment for kidney disease, limb amputation and going blind.

"The number of people diagnosed with diabetes nationwide has increasingly become an epidemic," Stephens said. "In the last year, more than a million people were diagnosed with diabetes nationwide. It personally affects people daily in every walk of life."

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Central Hockey League Stories from September 27, 2004


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