By JILL HAMBEK
Staff Writer
It will take more than a dance beat to beat diabetes, but an event taking place this week will help raise awareness of the disease. Trinity Health's Center for Diabetes Education and S.O.S. Get Fit fitness center are inviting the public to their "Beat the 'Betes Zumbathon" event.
The Zumbathon will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. in the Town and Country Center parking lot by the Trinity Health Cancer Care Center. There is no cost for the event, but freewill donations will be accepted with proceeds going toward supporting the youth in the community with Type 1 diabetes through day camps, Camp Sioux scholarships, the local juvenile diabetes chapter and more. Andrea Anhorn, registered nurse and diabetes educator, said people can just come to the event and participate without giving any money.
"We're targeting people with Type 1 diabetes, both children and adults," said Anhorn. Everyone from young kids to older individuals are welcome to attend the event, she noted. "We just want to build awareness and let people know that it's a big deal."
In case the weather doesn't cooperate that day, the Zumbathon event will be held inside the Town and Country mall, near Trinity Health's Center for Diabetes Education. People who can't make it to the event but still want to donate can send the money to the Center for Diabetes Education, Anhorn said.
Zumba was chosen as the activity for this event since it's kind of a hot item right now, Anhorn said. "It will give people a chance to participate in a fun environment."
The idea to have a Zumbathon was originally brought up by the mother of one of Anhorn's patients.
"It was inspired by one of the moms and I took the bull by the horns," she said.
Anhorn said it would be nice for people to come out for this event. She hopes the event will bring opportunities to open up the possibility of having local day camps for children with Type 1 diabetes. It's helpful for children with diabetes to be surrounded by other children with diabetes at the day camps, she noted.
"Everyone knows someone who has diabetes," Anhorn said. "We've come a long way in treating it, too. I hope people will realize this cause will directly affect the kids in the community."
Those people seeking more information on the "Beat the 'Betes Zumbathon" event, can call 857-5268.