Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi hosts its annual Meridian Walk for Diabetes

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -On Sunday, the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi held its annual Meridian Walk for Diabetes at Bonita Lake Parks.

Many people came out to walk in support of children and families who have been diagnosed with type and type two diabetes.                

Registration began at 1 pm, followed by Miss Mississippi’s Becky Williams leading the warm-ups and stretches to prepare people for their walk, which began at 2.                

There were also activities for the children, such as face painting, a sneaker contest, food, snacks, and cold beverages for everyone in attendance, and everyone who finished the walk earned a medal of accomplishment.                

Jowilla Secoy, Regional Director of the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, was very excited about the turnout of their event.

“Today was a little small, but we’re always thankful to everyone who comes out here. I think we’ve got about 75 to 100 people out here today, and we’ve done this for years, and it just always depends. Last year, it was freezing cold, and we had a lot of people out here, you know, on Sundays, it can be hard to have people out because they have other obligations; however, those that don’t come out, they’re still supporting us, whether it’s through donor drive or sending in checks. But it’s the ones that we have out here today; they’re here for a reason, and there’s meaning behind them. Everything that they do for us,” says Jowilla Secoy, Regional Director.

Miss Mississippi Becky Williams was also in attendance, talking more about her Make a Move initiative and how this walk was important.

“There are so many comorbidities related to sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle, and so when we start moving our bodies through these simple ways, whether it is just walking, whether it is going to get your own groceries, we really can change our lives. And so understanding that this correlation between walking and diabetes and also understanding that Mississippi is one of the most unhealthy states in the nation and has a very high diabetes rate. You know, it just makes sense to to combine these things to bring awareness to health,” says 2024 Miss Mississippi’s Becky Williams

All the money raised at the walk will stay in Mississippi to help provide support for the families and get them access to equipment, tools, and resources they need to survive and live an everyday life with diabetes.

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