If you’re like me, you probably didn’t know that November is National Diabetes Awareness month. Like me, you also may not have known that

every 17 seconds another American is diagnosed with diabetes

.

This staggering fact was brought to my attention when I had the chance to cover the American Diabetes Association LA’s Step Out Walk this past weekend at scenic Griffith Park. The ADA is leading the fight to “Stop Diabetes” and its deadly consequences, as well as fight for those already affected.

The most recent data tells that there are over 29 million Americans – including over 700,000 in Los Angeles County – who have diabetes. An estimated 18.8 million have been diagnosed; however, 7 million are unaware that they are living with the disease. Reports show that if current trends continue, 1 in 3 American adults will have diabetes by 2050.

I had the chance to speak with a few of the celebrity personalities who lent their time and notoriety to the event. Celebrity fitness trainer Wes Ferguson provided the warm-up for the walkers, as well as an anecdote about how he became involved with the ADA’s Step Out Walk. He reminisced about how one of his closest friends was diagnosed with Type-2 Diabetes, and upon finding out it was reversible, decided to help him overcome this challenge with what he knew best: diet and exercise!

Jillian Rose Reed, one of the stars of MTV’s Awkward, and her brother, Robbie Tucker (Nickelodeon’s See Dad Run), have been involved with the ADA for the last four years. Their involvement with the disease came ten years ago when their older brother was diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes. Coming from a very active background, Jillian and her family jumped at the chance to be involved with such a community awareness program such as the ADA’s Step Out Walk. She and Robbie both do what they can to put the right foods into their bodies and stay active (We bonded over our love of hiking in the hills of Los Angeles). Jillian has recently been honored with becoming a member of the Celebrity Cabinet for the American Diabetes Association’s LA Chapter.

You might remember my buddy Jacob Hopkins (About A Boy, The Goldbergs, True Blood), from our interview a few months ago. A young actor, but very eager to get more involved in charity work, Jacob saw Jillian and Robbie speaking so candidly about how the disease has touched their family.

Olympic Volleyball Gold Medalist, Kerri Walsh-Jennings, discovered that her mother was diagnosed with Type-2 Diabetes about 3 months ago. Eager to support her mother and the ADA, Kerri quickly agreed to join the Step Out Walk with the help of Sun Life Financial. She spoke on how challenging and unpredictable the disease can be; learning that too much of a good thing (FOODS) can lead to a very serious condition. Kerri is doing her best staying busy being mom to three babies, and while she isn’t training, she’s glad the off-season allows her do events like this. She enjoys a plethora of other exercises, specifically pilates, since her job requires to use her body. Coming from an athletic family, she knows her mother is tough and take the punches to overcome this disease.

The ADA’s Step Out Walk had over 325 corporate teams, families, and walking groups come together to put on the event. Last year more than 2,500 walkers raised over $350,000 to support the mission. For more information please call 1-800-DIABETES or visit www.diabete.org.

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