Breakfast Raises Awareness For Diabetes In The Tri-Cities

A breakfast to raise awareness for diabetes was held Friday morning in Johnson City. It’s a disease that affects millions of people. 
“This is a worldwide and definitely United States epidemic is diabetes and obesity and we need to address it now,“ said Dr. Andrew Rhinehart, Johnston Memorial Diabetes Care Center.
He said diabetes is a disease with many complications, but these complications are treatable.
“You want to prevent the heart damage, eye damage, kidney damage, nerve damage that can occur over time and the way we prevent that is with good quality care,“ Dr. Rhinehart said.
Every year a walk is held in the Tri-Cities to help raise money in the fight against diabetes. People of all ages come out to show their support, including Ted White who has been a diabetic for 9 years. He said everyday is a challenge.
“Watching the food you eat, try to do your exercising,“ said White.
He also said he’s doing all he can to make sure others don’t have to live with diabetes.
“Hopefully my kids or my grandchildren won’t have to go through it, they may have a cure by then,“ said White.
The 2009 Step Out Walk to Fight Diabetes will be held on October 3 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
The walk begins at 10 a.m. For more information about the walk call the American Diabetes Association at 865-524-7868.