Since 2009, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center has raised more than $100,000 for diabetes research through the StepOut To End Diabetes campaign, the national awareness campaign of the American Diabetes Association, as well as the Denim for Diabetes campaign, the local observance. Denim for Diabetes participants donate $5 and can wear jeans to work on kickoff day with the proceeds going for diabetes awareness efforts.
To date, UTHSC has raised over $11,000 with the Denim for Diabetes campaign alone. Other efforts, such as T-shirt sales, bake sales, and fundraisers have contributed to the total.
The 2019 Denim for Diabetes fundraiser held in December brought in $1,730. A health fair and awareness event were held on campus to assist with the campaign. The collaborative event was sponsored by the College of Medicine, the Office of Special Events and Community Affairs, and the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor Ken Brown, JD, MPA, PhD, FACHE.
Attendees participated in biometric screenings, which measured blood pressure, blood glucose, weight, body mass index, and other factors. These screenings help determine an individual’s diabetic probability. Hamilton Eye Institute staff provided eye screenings, while Campus Police team members led a field sobriety obstacle course to demonstrate the physical effects of a blood glucose level that is too high or too low.
“We would like thank everyone who helped to make this event possible,” said Patricia “Trish” Hill, administrative coordinator to Samuel Dagogo-Jack, MD, in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism in the College of Medicine and coordinator of the event. “We are looking forward to a larger and improved event next fall, because it is important that we continue the fight to find a cure for diabetes.”
The American Diabetes Association reports that 84 million American adults have prediabetes, but nearly 90 percent of them are not aware of it. This can lead to diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control, if ignored, diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and cancer.
If you would like to make an appointment to be screened for diabetes or receive diabetes treatment, please call UT Methodist Physicians at 901.758.7888.