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During the fall months, thousands of people across the nation will walk together with friends and family to showcase the courage it takes to live every day with the difficult disease diabetes-type 1, type 2 or gestational. The lives of many thousands of people are made more difficult or shortened by this disease every year.

Every year the American Diabetes Association organizes a nationwide fundraising event called "Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes. With strong support from the local business community across America, including cash sponsorship and corporate teams, Walk to Fight Diabetes raises over $20 million to support the ADA's mission: To prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes

A Red Strider is someone who lives with diabetes who can proudly walk as an individual or create their own team and walk with friends, family and fellow workers. Red Striders show us all the courage it takes to live with the difficult disease. In the larger metropolitan areas hundreds of Red Striders may participate in the Step Out.

Last year more than 100,000 walkers from around the country participated in the Step Out fight against diabetes. Each step they took and every dollar they raised helps the American Diabetes Association provide community based education programs, protect the rights of people with diabetes and fund critical research for a cure.

A National Team is formed by a large company or organization that has employees in multiple locations across the country. Last year's participants included Walmart, McKesson, and the Prince Hall Shriners. National Teams raise a minimum of $100,000 through their local employee teams who walk together in their local Step Out event.

You can also participate in Step Out as an individual. Most Step Out events cover three miles, though they range from about 2.5 to 6 miles. Some have special shorter walks for families and children and those who want to walk but can't make the full distance.

How are Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes funds used? Nearly 75 percent of the ADA's total annual expenses go towards research, information and advocacy and public awareness activities.

Katelyn Freyou's story on the American Diabetes Association website. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2005, fourteen-year-old Katelyn has been attending the American Diabetes Association's Camp Victory in conjunction with the Lions of Louisiana each summer ever since. The ADA reports that Katelyn is able to live a near normal life because of the kindness and energy of the thousands of individuals who participate in Step Out.

For more information or to register for a Step Out event in your community, visit Diabetes.org or call (888) DIABETES (888-342-2383).

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