Ravens wideout Derrick Mason and wife Marci, have teamed up with the American Diabetes Association to support diabetes research and advocacy. Derrick and Marci have taken their personal experiences with diabetes and become advocates for healthier living.
American Diabetes Association spokesperson, Marci Mason, was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 19 and will forever be insulin dependent. The Masons have always proved to be a philanthropic family, and when Derrick found out that the death rate due to diabetes is 56 percent higher in Baltimore than the national average, he jumped at the opportunity to support local efforts.
"I wanted to help out a cause that not too many people are aware of," Mason acknowledged. "So many people are being affected by this disease and the longer it goes, the worse it is going to get, unless we find a cure, and that's what we are hoping to do."
Marci and Derrick have participated in several events to create awareness for diabetes and most recently were named co-chairs of the "Step Out to Fight Diabetes" fundraiser. The mission of the walk, to be held this Saturday, Oct. 4 at M&T Bank Stadium, is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by the disease.
Derrick and Marci took their involvement in the walk to a new level on Thursday, Sept. 25, by personally matching all monies raised for the event, up to $2,500.
To register for the Oct. 4 walk or to support a friend that is walking, visit **http://www.diabetes.org/stepout**. For more information regarding American Diabetes Association events and programs in Maryland, call 410-265-0075 or visit **www.diabetes.org**.
The duo will continue their efforts in November, taking their advocacy to the school system. The couple will challenge all Maryland schools to participate in a month long program designed to link students to important information about diabetes. In November, coinciding with National Diabetes Awareness Month, teachers will be encouraged to read a fact about diabetes or a prevention tip to their students during morning announcements every day, and to raise money for diabetes research and education. All schools raising over $1000 will be entered in a drawing to receive a visit from Derrick and Marci Mason.
To register your school for the November challenge, call Julie Frieman at 410-265-0075 (ext. 4675) or e-mail JFrieman@diabetes.org.
