5K Run/Walk to benefit diabetes association

A run to raise money for diabetes will once again be staged in Palmerton.

The fourth annual 5K Run/Walk to raise funds for the American Diabetes Association will be held on Saturday, Aug. 13.

The start/finish line will be at the borough park. Registration will begin at 8 a.m.

Carla Majczan, event coordinator, said the activity is held to raise money for the ADA's diabetes research and education programs.

Trophies will be given to fastest overall male and female runners. Medals will be given to the top three finishers in each age category. Walkers will be noncompetitive.

Majczan said event organizers are looking for volunteers to help plan the 5K and to assist on the day of the event, which is sponsored by the Lafayette Ambassador Bank, Essa Bank and Dedicated Fitness.

She anticipates 100 runners will participate, though hopeful the event will attract about 150 participants.

"It's a great cause," Majczan said. "I would ideally like to raise awareness and have the race become bigger, because the bigger it is, the more money we can generate to go directly to finding a cure and advocacy programs."

Majczan said it's important to get the word out on the street.

"I want to get awareness and involvement in an area that really doesn't have opportunities/events for diabetes," she said. "This is the only event occurring in the Palmerton area for diabetes, every area everywhere has a group of people who care; who can make a dent, so I am trying to give them the chance to do just this."

Majczan, who has been diabetic for 20 years since the age of 11, said she put the event together because she believes in the cause.

"Because there isn't a day I forget that I live with this, and there isn't a year that goes by that it doesn't get harder to control," she said. "It's amazing just how many people are affected by this disease and in seeing that, it truly is an epidemic."

Majczan said people need to be educated on the misconceptions about the disease.

"I also put the 5K together because I think that exercise is important for everyone, especially diabetics," she said. "Including some exercise into your daily routine will help you better control your diabetes, plus it will help you handle the daily stress of being diabetic."

Majczan said the T-shirts participants will receive state "Diabetes is MY reason to run" on the front.

"Everyone has one; whether it be someone they know who is diabetic or they are just running for themselves or even running not for anything specific but just to be healthy and fit," she said. "I hope people will come out and support a cause that is too important to just keep ignoring."

For more information about volunteering or registering for the event, contact Majczan at (610) 390-2086.