The annual Strides to Fight Diabetes Rockin’ Walk-A-Thon is set to return for its seventh year, bringing the community together to raise awareness and funds for diabetes care and education. Organized by the Kinston Host Lions Club, the event will take place on March 29 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Kinston Community Center.
“This is an international Lions event, and it’s one that makes a real impact in our local community,” said Sharon Axelberg, one of the event’s organizers. “Last year, we were able to send 32 children to diabetes summer camp. During this week, they get to feel like everyone else because they are like everyone else.”
The event raises money for scholarships that allow children ages 8 to 14 with Type 1 diabetes to attend a specialized summer camp run by ECU Health. The camp, which costs $1,000 per camper, only charges families $250 (totally covered by Strides scholarships).
“We don’t want parents to have to choose between paying for medicine and sending their children to camp,” Axelberg said. “At camp, these kids learn to be independent in managing their condition while also enjoying activities like kayaking, archery, and swimming. It’s an incredible opportunity.”
Beyond supporting the camp, funds from the walk-a-thon provide $200 scholarships twice annually to patients managing both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Attendees at the event will also have the opportunity to speak with health professionals from UNC Lenoir, the Lenoir County Health Department, Kinston Community Health Center, and other local organizations. Vendor tables will offer information about diabetes management tools such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors.
Axelberg, who was diagnosed with diabetes on her 25th birthday, shared her personal journey with the disease and how advancements in diabetes management have changed her life.
“As a 43-year Type 1 diabetes patient, three things have saved my life—God, diabetes training, insulin pump technology, and continuous glucose monitoring,” Axelberg said. “When I was first diagnosed in 1982, I pricked my fingers up to five times per day and had no idea what an A1C was. Now, thanks to devices like the Omnipod and Dexcom, my A1C has dropped from over 10 to 7. It has made a world of difference.”
Axelberg’s connection to diabetes extends to her family. Her father was a Type 2 and we believe his father was a Type 1 (He died in the 40’s at the age of 40). Her two great-nieces, Avery and Maddie, who also have Type 1 diabetes, attended Camp Needles in the Pines and are now counselors there. Her son was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes two years ago and was able to reverse his condition through lifestyle changes. My point in saying is to let you know: If diabetes is in your family you need to attend our event and get some answers to questions that could make a difference in your life.
“You don’t have to fight this disease alone,” Axelberg emphasized. “We are here to help—not just one day a year, but every day. We fund scholarships, give school nurses debit cards to purchase diabetes supplies, and support children attending camp. Thanks to our sponsors, we will continue to do so for years to come.”
Partners for the event include Kinston Community Center, Kinston Host Lions Club, Lions Industries for the Blind, UNC Lenoir Health, and Southwood Memorial Christian Church, and many sponsors. The walk-a-thon will feature a raffle with 13 prizes and door prizes for all attendees. Participants can choose to walk, rock, or simply enjoy the fellowship and resources available.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes affects 38 million people in the United States, with one in five unaware they have the disease. In North Carolina alone, over one million people have diabetes, with an additional 244,000 undiagnosed cases. The annual cost of diabetes in the state is estimated at $10.6 billion.
Diabetes is a leading cause of heart disease, kidney disease, amputations, and adult-onset blindness. Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include being overweight, inactive, over the age of 45, or having a family history of the disease.
“Please, please attend this event,” Axelberg urged. “It may save your life or the life of someone you know, literally. We Stride to make a difference.”
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