People Centre’d on Diabetes: Get moving and stay active
In recognition of World Diabetes Day, the State College Area School District’s Delta Program held its fourth annual walk, this year called “Delta Moves.” The walk wound through the streets of downtown State College on Nov. 13 to raise awareness about diabetes and people making healthy living choices.
More than 200 students and staff walked, wearing T-shirts designed by eleventh-grader Emy Boz. Emy’s design won Delta art teacher Holly Foy’s class competition. The students also carried light blue balloons, the official color of World Diabetes Day that signifies the global community working together to fight the diabetes epidemic. This year’s theme, “Delta Moves,” was chosen because it is proactive — getting students, staff and the general public to come together as a community to find personal ways to get up and be active.
Delta’s Student Assistance Program Team organized this year’s walk, as well as previous walks. The SAP Team works throughout the year to help students and their families who might be struggling with a personal issue: something that is preventing the student from being successful in school. The Delta SAP Team believes that the “Delta Moves” campaign is just one more way to help students make healthy choices and to work toward success in school.
Every year The Delta Program not only tries to build community support for diabetes awareness but also relies on community support for the walk. People Centre’d on Diabetes, a local nonprofit that works throughout the year to raise awareness and well being for those dealing with diabetes, has supported the walk every year, both financially and by providing speakers for the Delta students. “Fighting Sitting Disease One Step at a Time” was this year’s talk topic, emphasizing that moving doesn’t have to be a major event — it can be as simple as putting one foot in front of the other. Sedentary lifestyle is one of the leading causes of Type 2 diabetes, and moving can not only help prevent Type 2 diabetes but also improves the health of people living with Type 1 diabetes.
Centre Moves, a program created by a cross-section of community members and groups, also supported Delta Moves. Centre Moves is encouraging all members of our community to get moving and be more active each day. The Wal-Mart Corporation and local Wal-Marts have also been key supporters of the walk for all four years. Other Delta supporters include Bon Ton, P.A.M.P Printing and Best Event Rentals. Without this community support “Delta Moves” couldn’t happen.
While “Delta Moves” was an event meant to help people move and to raise awareness it’s also a call to get us all moving to create a healthier community. So when you’re done reading this, put down your paper or your device and take a quick walk and get some healthy “Moves” in today!
This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 6:41 PM with the headline "People Centre’d on Diabetes: Get moving and stay active."