On Sunday, May 20, 2012, the communities of Fort Lee and Cliffside Park,  along with the Diabetes Foundation, Inc. will  host  their Fourth Annual “Run the Palisades” 5K Run/Walk and Health Fair beginning at the Fort Lee Community Center and running through the towns of Cliffside Park and Fort Lee. Mayor Mark Sokolich of Fort Lee and Mayor Gerry Calabrese of Cliffside Park lead the committee of local community resources to make this a great event.  With support from the Police Departments, DPW, First Aid squads, Health Departments, Board of Education, Recreation Department and many more, this event hopes to bring out over 500 participants who join in to help people with diabetes throughout the state.

Runners of all ages are welcome to participate and walkers are encouraged to register, too.  This is a USATF certified flat and fast course. At 9:30 am there will be a Healthy Kids Fun-Run where ribbons will be given to all who cross the finish line. The 5K takes off at 10:15am. 

Awards will be given out in all age categories.  Pre-registration is available at www.firstgiving.com/dfi, www.raceforum.com/palisades,  or www.diabetesfoundationinc.org .  Runners can also call to register at 201-444-0337.  Registration opens at 7:30 am on the day of the race.  T-shirts and race bags will be given to all pre-registered participants and while supplies last to those who register on race day. Sponsorships are still available and range from $250 at the Community Level to $5,000 at the Platinum Level. 

Beginning at 9:30 am and ending at 12:30pm, the Health Fair will be held inside the Fort Lee Community Center and is open to everyone. Local hospitals and physicians will be offering important screenings including blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, eye and foot, all free of charge. There will be a variety of vendors and exhibits to educate on all aspects of health, wellness, fitness and lifestyle improvements.  Buccal swab testing (check cells from inside your mouth) will be available and used to see if you could “Be a Match” donor for stem cell/bone marrow transplant and qualify for the HLA Registry. There will even be a booth with information on animals and diabetes. 

Special focus will be given to people with diabetes and raising awareness of the incidence of diabetes in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area.  With 79 million people now diagnosed with diabetes, 750,000 just in New Jersey, the disease is rising to epidemic proportions.

Since 1990, the Diabetes Foundation, Inc. has been helping to improve the care and quality of life for children and adults with diabetes. The Foundation serves a population that lives day-to-day with this serious chronic disorder. Proceeds from this event will benefit programs which include: assistance with medications and supplies to those patients who have no means to pay; camp sponsorships for diabetic children; and, public and professional diabetes education.

For more information, contact the Diabetes Foundation, Inc. at 201-444-0337 or email: info@diabetesfoundationinc.org