Visalia Medical Clinic hosts Fourth Annual Diabetes Walk April 14

The 3K or 5K walk, and kids walk begins at the clinic, 5400 W. Hillsdale, with check-in between 8 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., and kick-off at 9 a.m. (rain or shine). There is no fee to participate, and registered walkers will receive a free commemorative T-shirt and water bottle, while supplies last. The registration form is available online at www.vmchealth.com.

The walk will include booths offering diabetes and health information, resources to improve diabetes control, drawings to win gift baskets, and blood pressure and blood sugar checks. Participants will also be able to donate blood and meet VMC’s physicians and staff.

“James Mohs was an endocrinologist who worked with diabetic patients in Visalia for many years,” explained Visalia Medical Clinic diabetes educator Susan Smith, Ph.D., CDE. “He would be so pleased to see this walk becoming a successful annual event where people can learn, share and grow in their knowledge and skills to better control diabetes. We want to help people by diagnosing diabetes earlier and encourage people to be more conscientious about their diabetes control.”

According to the American Diabetes Association, 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year and diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. In 2012, 86 million Americans age 20 and older had prediabetes – up from 79 million in 2010.

For information, contact Susan Smith at Visalia Medical Clinic, 739-2087; ssmith@vmchealth.com.