Diabetes affect millions of Americans and the state of Montana is one of the most affected in the country.

In Montana, Blaine County is ranked number three in residents affected with the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation seeing numbers affected double of the state average.

There are three types of Diabetes: Type 1 - Commonly believed to be an autoimmune condition where for unknown reasons the persons body attacks the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. The damage is irreversible and permanent.

Type 2 - The exact cause of type 2 diabetes is unknown but it is widely accepted that genetics, limited physical activity and obesity are major contributing factors. Type 2 diabetes essentially means that your body has lost the ability to process insulin. Type 2 Diabetes can be controlled and with a proper change in diet and exercise, patients can return to a normal life.

It is most common for type one diabetes to be diagnosed rather quickly and in patients that are much younger. Type two diabetes generally is diagnosed in adults over the age of 45 but many physicians are making the diagnosis in younger patients due to increased obesity and inactivity rates in our youth.

Roughly 30 Million people live with diabetes. About 5-10% of those have type one diabetes while the other 90-95% have type two.

Gestational Diabetes may be diagnosed from time to time and occurs only during pregnancy.

It is estimated that another 84.5 million Americans are living with pre-diabetes and are unaware that they have the condition. Annually, nearly 2 million new diagnoses of diabetes is made every year.

In order to bring awareness to this disease the Sweet Medical Center in Chinook will be hosting a Diabetes Beatdown on Saturday, October 19, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Lindsay Rucinsky, FNP, with the Sweet Medical Center, is helping organize the event and wants to bring awareness to this cause and help find a cure. “With the rise in childhood obesity we will continue to see increased numbers in diabetes. It is our hope with this race we will bring more awareness to diabetes while bringing the community together to get in the ring and fight!”

The Diabetes Beat Down Race is the first of its kind for the Sweet Medical Center and hopefully it’s the first of many to come.

Participants will be able to choose amongst three races to enter. They can choose the one mile, a three mile or even a five mile for the more active participants. The one mile race will include the fun run/walk component.

All race are competitive (Other than the Fun Run/Walk), and will be timed for those choosing to race.

“There will be a prize for the top female and male runner in each race! Each participant will get a Race T-shirt and Swag bag,” said Rucinsky.

Diabetes is something that affects a huge portion of Montana’s citizens and bringing awareness to the public is vital, “Diabetes is a huge disease process in Montana. Approximately there are 96,000 people diagnosed with diabetes. Of those 96,000 there are about 26,000 people who have diabetes but do not know they do. In Montana there are about 279,000 people who are prediabetic which means they have elevated glucose levels but not high enough to diagnose as diabetic. Diabetes is growing at an epidemic rate in the United States,” added Rucinsky.

The goal of this race is to:

1. Raise awareness of the rapid growth of diabetes in our region

2. Raise funds for the Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP)

3. Raise funds to provide a Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) for our patients

4. Provide a healthy, fun activity for our community

Vendors will be on hand from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with the Streatery food truck coming down for the event as well.

The Diabetes Beat Down Race cost will be $30 for the 5 mile, $25 for the 3 mile and $20 for 1 mile. Children 6 and younger will run free with a registered adult for the 1 mile fun run/walk

“We have sponsors for our race,” stated an excited Rucinsky. “Some of those sponsors are Town Pump, The Blaine County Journal News/Opinion, Gary & Leo’s IGA, Albertsons, Finley’s Food Farm, Bearly Square Quilting, HUB International, Bear Paw Credit Union and Rad’s Deli.