Video: Walk for Diabetes

[bitsontherun nfFfQFVi]

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A dangerous disease has touched too many lives, especially here in Mississippi. The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi is taking a step in the right direction.

One in eight Mississippians are diagnosed with diabetes, which meant nearly everyone at the Walk for Diabetes event in Columbus was affected in some way.

Sade Meeks, a volunteer, said, “My grandmother actually passed and she was affected with diabetes, so it hits close to home as well.”

While most cases of diabetes can be avoided by eating right and exercising, Type 1, or Juvenile Diabetes, is a result of the body’s inability to produce insulin and can’t be prevented.

Frank Cockerham was diagnosed 53 years ago at 17, and says it’s changed his life.

“Really, it actually improved it because if I hadn’t been diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes back in 1960, I would have lived a much unhealthier lifestyle.”

Jackson Schymik, on the other hand, is just starting out. He’s only 5 years old, and was diagnosed two years ago.
Frank wanted to tell him this, “Learn all he can as he gets older, but that he’ll live and lead a healthy lifestyle.”

If you’re older than 45, overweight, or have a history of diabetes in your family, you may want to talk to your physician about getting tested.