Big Crowds At Step Out Walk To Stop Diabetes
DENVER (CBS4)- Some 1,600 people hit the street of Denver on Saturday to help put an end to a disease that keeps spreading. They walked for the Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes.
"It's just an alteration of your lifestyle," said Dave Gartland, a walker who also has diabetes. "You have to be conscious all the time."
Gartland lost his mother to diabetes and is learning to live with hit himself.
"Only in the last year I've gotten full blown type 1 diabetes," said Gartland.
PHOTO GALLERY: Step Out Walk To Stop Diabetes
He is one of this year's Red Striders.
"We call our people with diabetes the Red Striders," said American Diabetes Association spokeswoman Kristin Barry.
The walk is the signature fundraiser for the organization.
"If current trends don't change one in three Americans will be diagnosed with this disease," said Barry.
Last year, Step Out walks in 120 cities nationwide combined raised more than $24 million. All the money raised will go to research and to help those living with diabetes.
"Everybody is here to make a change in the diabetes community," said Barry.
"I think there will be a cure for diabetes," said Gartland. "I think these events are critical in getting that critical mass of awareness and intention and money in the research."
CBS4 Meteorologist Dave Aguilera Emceed the event.