24th Annual American Diabetes Association Alert Day
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – (March 1, 2012) With the month of March already upon us, American Diabetes Alert Day is quickly approaching. Alert Day, a one-day call to action for people to learn their risk of developing diabetes, is March 27, 2012. The American Diabetes Association, along with Alabama’s 13, Birmingham Business Journal and HealthSpring, will host a variety of events during the month, including:
· March 17, 2012: Fitness N Motion 5K at Point of Grace Ministries from 8 am – 12 pm
· March 26, 2012: Phone Bank at Alabama’s 13 from 5 pm – 10:30 pm
· March 27, 2012: Health Fair located at Brookwood Mall from 11 am – 2 pm
· March 27, 2012: Alert Day Health Fair/Healthsmart located at HealthSmart/UAB
· March 27, 2012: Alert Day Lunch & Learn located at Gorgas Library Room 205 at UA from 11:30-1pm
· March 31, 2012: Spin-a-thon at the University of Alabama Rec Center from 1 pm – 6pm Online registration: tuscaloosaspinathon.eventbrite.com
The goal of the 24th annual Alert Day is to raise awareness, serve as an educational method for people within the community and get as many people as possible to take the risk test through the “Take it. Share it” initiative. By recreating the diabetes risk test, the American Diabetes Association will distribute a test that is not only more test-taker friendly, but easier to be shared via social media platforms. Test takers will be strongly encouraged to share the risk test by using social media as a method to raise awareness among family and friends.
Diabetes is a terrible disease that affects nearly 26 million people in the United States. A quarter of those people do not even know they have diabetes. Alabama is ranked as the state with the highest incidence of diabetes, as there are approximately 470,000 individuals living with diabetes in the state. Diabetes can affect anyone – no matter the age. Recent numbers indicate that there are nearly 2,900 students enrolled in the Alabama public school system with diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association continues to strengthen the commitment to increase awareness of diabetes by actively promoting preventative measures, such as weight loss, healthy eating and physical activity. Alert Day is a momentary time in which an enormous amount of awareness can be generated. The American Diabetes Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides credible and objective information and gives a voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes.
For More Information, contact:
Annah Grace Morgan
American Diabetes Association
(205) 870-5172 ext. 3071
amorgan@diabetes.org
