Lions International has teamed up with several local entities to help raise diabetes awareness and assist children suffering from it.

The third annual Rockin’ Walk-A-Thon will be held at the Kinston Community Center March 30 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Besides the KCC, Lions is working with Lenoir UNC Health Care, the Lions Industries for the Blind, Ram Neuse Lions Club and West Warriors to put together an event Center director Kelly Cannon said has been a great success.

“We raise money for children that have diabetes and send them to camp this summer, as well as helping with medical expenses for those in the area,” Cannon said. “We raised about $15,000 last year and hope to do the same, if not more this year. We encourage people to come out and walk, and if there are some who have trouble doing that, there are rocking chairs here so people can rock to raise money.”

Sharon Axelberg, president of the Kinston Lions Club, said the event hits closer to home for her.

“I’m a Type-1 patient myself and have been that way for 37 years, so this means a lot to me,” Axelberg said. “Some children and adults may not know much about diabetes, but we try to help them so they don’t have to stress as much. With the camp, the children are normal that week — we have physicians and nurses there with expertise and they can enjoy themselves.

“We haven’t turned a child away from camp, and we hope we can keep that going. There may not be a cure in my time, but we’re trying to bring a little bit of relief day by day.”

The cost is $5 to participate in the Walk-A-Thon and all proceeds go toward diabetes awareness or helping children in the area. Packets can be picked up at the Lions Industry for the Blind from Monday through Thursday, and registrations can be done the day of the event.

For additional information, contact the Lions Industry for the Blind at 252-523-1019 or Axelberg at 252-560-6451.