Press Release:

(Feb. 18, 2010) – Tallahassee Mayor John Marks and other public officials will kick off our community’s first Diabetes Awareness Weekend with a proclamation during a press conference at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 26, at Pavilion 13 in Tallahassee’s Tom Brown Park.

The weekend’s events are sponsored by the Foundation for Leon County School and a variety of other business and organizations with the goal of focusing the community’s attention on increasing awareness of diabetes and raising funds for wellness programs in Leon County schools.

Diabetes affects 23.6 million children and adults in the United States and can lead to a variety of complications including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, amputation, and even death.

Type 1diabetes, which is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, occurs when the body does not produce any insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar (glucose), starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Type 2 diabetes, which is the more common type, develops when a person’s body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. In the past, Type 2 diabetes was primarily found in adults, but due to the dramatic increase in obesity rates among children, a primary risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, it is increasingly being diagnosed in our youth. In fact, locally, one third of Leon County students enrolled in our public schools are at risk for Type 2 diabetes due to poor diet and lack of exercise.

Ride with Team Type 1
Friday, Feb. 26, 2010,
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Centerville Conservation Community

Sponsored by Gulf Coast Velo, net proceeds will fund scholarships for Children with Type 1 diabetes to attend diabetes camp. Team Type 1, an international cycling team founded by Tallahassee native Phil Southerland, is comprised of professional athletes, both men and women, with Type 1 diabetes. Team Type 1 will ride a 2.7 mile loop with our community in preparation for the weekend’s cycling races. Take advantage of diabetes education and diabetes screenings The general public is invited to come and meet the team , and riding is not required.

Stomping Out Type 2 Diabetes
Saturday, Feb. 27
8 a.m. to Noon
Tom Brown Park, Pavilion 13

Come to the park for an exciting morning of fun, entertainment and activities centered around morning around diabetes awareness, prevention, and wellness including a 5K Run/Walk, bike races, health screenings and fun fitness and health education activities provided by Premier Health & Fitness Center, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and the City of Tallahassee Parks and Recreation.

5 K Run/1 Mile Fun Run/Walk
Race Start Time: 8:00 a.m.

Organized by Gulf Winds Track Club, this is a loop course through Tom Brown Park on canopied asphalt roads and hard packed dirt trails. Awards will be given to the top make/female/masters, 3 deep in 5 to 10 year age groups. Proceeds from the race will benefit Leon County School Wellness Programs.

Mountain Bike Race
Race Start Times: Every half hour beginning with kids’ races (one-half lap) at 8:30 a.m. and concluding with the expert race, which begins at 11:00 a.m.

Organized by Capital City Cyclists, this mountain bike race on Tom Brown’s Magnolia Trail includes races for kids (age 5-10), juniors (ages 11-14), Novice, Intermediate, Masters and Expert. There will be prizes for the top finishers of each category. Please note that this is not a NORBA/USA Cycling sanctioned event. Proceeds will fund fitness and wellness programs for Leon County Schools.

Kids Fitness and Wellness Centers
9:00 a.m. to noon

This morning of fun and entertainment include appearances by the professional riders from Team Type 1 and other celebrity coaches and athletes, fitness and health education stations provided Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and Premier Health & Fitness Center, a fire fighter awareness center, and free health screenings provided by the FSU College of Medicine. Sign up at your public school and help your school win the participation award.

“Screen and Scream” Event at the Tallahassee Cycling Classic
Saturday, Feb. 27
1 to 6 p.m.
Centerville Conversation Community

Come cheer for Team Type 1 male and female riders at the “Screen and Scream” event from 1 to 6 p.m. at during the Tallahassee Cycling Classic. There will be a Diabetes Family Support group area where you can meet and mingle with other families. There will also be a TrialNet booth area with research information and an opportunity to join the international TrialNet Natural History Study. This study screens relatives of people with Type 1 diabetes to learn more about how the disease occurs. The more we know about Type 1 diabetes, the closer we get to conquering it. For more information, contact the Tallahassee Memorial Diabetes Center at (850) 431-5404.