The fight against Type 1 diabetes took on a new level Sunday with Emporia’s first-ever Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Walk at Flinthills Mall.
Causes of Type 1 are currently unknown, but the end result is the body’s immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. That, in turn, causes abnormally high levels of sugar in the bloodstream, which can cause life-threatening complications like eye damage, foot damage, heart disease and pregnancy complications.
The event was led by several communication students at Emporia State University after a talk on campus by Team Schnak founder Kent Schnakenberg. Student Claire Hamlin was among those inspired to help.
Close to 100 people took part in the event. The walk was not originally billed as a fundraiser, but it still raised around $1,000 for Team Schnak and its efforts to fight diabetes.
Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
{gallery}111719 Diabetes Walk{/gallery}
