Paynesville Area Health Care System (PAHCS) announced today that they will be giving a $500 check to the American Diabetes Association from proceeds raised from their first annual Healthy Strides 5k walk/run. The health care system also will be providing funds to their local diabetes program offered at their hospital. “We were exceptionally pleased with the turn-out for our first year hosting this event”, said Paulette Hagen, Human Resource Director. “Approximately 100 people are diagnosed with diabetes each year through our health care system, and we wanted to do our part to help prevent and create awareness of this disease.”

James Evans, a Paynesville resident diagnosed with diabetes in July of 2012, was motivated to participate in the 5K walk/run. With help from Melissa Weber, PAHCS Dietitian, Evans is currently not taking insulin or medication for his diabetes; he is managing the disease through healthy a diet and exercise.

Doreen Kern was also motivated to get involved with the 5K walk/run. “I volunteered to help out the day of the Healthy Strides 5K in part because “I just wanted to volunteer.” But even more, I wanted to volunteer because my son is diabetic. He is presently a teenager and has been diabetic for over half of his life. My family has participated in other American Diabetes Association walks in the past and they were fun to be a part of. This time I wanted to be a part of the volunteer team hosting the event. It was a fun event and rewarding as well.”
Kern volunteered to help work at the 5K along with several other PAHCS employees.

“We are extremely excited to keep this important program going”, said Dennis Miley, PAHCS CEO. Plans are already underway for next year’s event, which will be hosted on August 18, 2013. To learn more about our race and diabetes prevention, click here.

Pictured from left to right: Doreen Kern, RN, Dennis Miley, CEO, Paulette Hagen, Human Resource Director