Inspired to Walk, Petaluma CA

When asked what inspired Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Diabetes Educator, Genevieve Foster to organise the first Global Diabetes Walk in her California community, Petaluma, the list is endless: “I am inspired by my colleagues at Petaluma Health Center who work to assist patients in gaining access to care. I am inspired by University of California EyePACS program. I am inspired by the United Nations. And I am inspired by researchers who struggle to find answers to this hideous disease,” she says.

But most of all, it seems that she is inspired by people and for people in her community. Like Eulalia Ramirez and her husband Rodolfo Flores Nava in the picture. They both have hypertension and on top of that Mr. Flores has diabetes. They are local gardeners and wake up before three o’clock every morning to bring their daily harvest to San Francisco 40 miles away. On November 14, the Ferry Building where they sell their goods to the vendors will be lit in blue. The building, a San Francisco landmark, will go blue thanks to the effort of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (Bay Area Chapter), Close Concerns and Diabetes Hands Foundation.

Looking at the list of participants in Petaluma’s first Global Diabetes Walk, it also seems as if the Walk Coordinator has been able to inspire people in her community. Various health and diabetes associations, the mayor and a congresswoman will participate. The Walk will take place at the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday 14 November. Community organisations and businesses will provide information and resources on diabetes, nutrition and exercise, and people can have their glucose level tested. Local farmers will sell fresh vegetables and fruits. At 11 there will be a small ceremony to form a human circle to show the unity in making a difference in the fight against diabetes.

“The idea of Petaluma’s first World Diabetes Day is to plant a small seed of community education and involvement related to diabetes and healthy living,” Genevieve Foster explains. “We want people to join to celebrate and to raise awareness of prevention and control of chronic vascular diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension.”

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