Midwestern University, Rawhide host diabetes walks

Walkers flood the pathways at Midwestern University’s Glendale campus at the start of the 2010 American Diabetes Association’s "Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes."

The annual American Diabetes Association’s “Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes” will take place in two Valley locations Saturday, Oct. 1st.

Early birds can gather at Rawhide at Wild Horse Pass, 5700 N. Loop Rd. in Chandler. Registration for this walk begins at 6:30am, with your choice of a one- or three-mile walk through the 1880s western town starting at 8am.

Or, enjoy walking in the balmy early evening hours at Midwestern University’s Glendale Campus. Registration opens at the Barrel Student Center beginning at 4:30pm, with the walk from 6 to 7pm. The course is a five-kilometer tour of the Midwestern’s campus, located at 19555 N. 59th Avenue in Glendale.

At Midwestern, participants and their families can also enjoy activities including inflatables, a dunk tank, face painting, fresh popcorn and Italian ice. An informational pavilion with vendor booths will be on hand to provide educational materials about diabetes. Midwestern University has been a host site for the Association’s walk since 2004. The 2010 event raised more than $250,000.

Walkers are raising money to support diabetes research, education and advocacy for the 25.8 million people with diabetes throughout the U.S. Cigna Medical Group is sponsoring both walks.  Find more details here.

Midwestern University is a graduate degree-granting institution specializing in the health sciences. The Glendale campus is home to more than 2,800 students and five colleges: the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, the College of Pharmacy-Glendale, the College of Health Sciences, the College of Dental Medicine-Arizona, and the Arizona College of Optometry. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The American Diabetes Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Learn more at 800-DIABETES (800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org.

Father of the Year – Chris Rich, president of Rich Financial Group

Chris Rich was one of five outstanding Valley dads to be honored by the Phoenix chapters of the American Diabetes Association and the Father’s Day Council as 2011 Fathers of the Year at an awards dinner and celebration Thursday night. On Wednesday, we interviewed honoree Bradley Parker. On Thursday, we interviewed honoree Mike Tully.

These prominent Phoenix businessmen were chosen on the basis of their demonstration of responsible parenting, exemplary ability to balance family and work life and strong commitment to serving the community.

Chris Rich, president of Rich Financial Group

Chris Rich, president of Rich Financial Group, and his family.

Rich, a father of two and president of Rich Financial Group, is also the president of a local Little League, from which he says his connection to diabetes stems. A long-time, beloved umpire and friend had to give up umpiring, hiking and other activities he enjoys after his toe was amputated because of diabetes-related complications.

“That was something real close to my heart,” Rich says.

He was also especially touched to learn about the millions of diabetic children in America that often can’t go to regular summer camps like other kids, because the staff at most camps aren’t usually trained in the medical knowledge they need to care for kids with diabetes. Special camps for kids with diabetes can be costly.

Rich’s favorite thing to do with his family is boating on Lake Pleasant, where they take a trip every year.

While the Rich family does not have any particular plans for Father’s Day, he says they will “spend the day together and find a family activity that we will all enjoy.”

Tomorrow: Steve Lawrence, Partner, Gallagher & Kennedy.

Fathers of the Year – Bradley Parker, senior vice president of US Bank

The Phoenix chapters of the American Diabetes Association and the Father’s Day Council will honor five outstanding Valley dads as 2011 Fathers of the Year at an awards dinner and celebration Thursday night.

These prominent Phoenix businessmen were chosen on the basis of their demonstration of responsible parenting, exemplary ability to balance family and work life and strong commitment to serving the community.

After accepting the honor, each of the five will make a pledge to raise research funds for the American Diabetes Association by calling on friends, family and colleagues to make donations to achieve their fundraising goals.

I had a chance to speak with each of the five outstanding fathers about the honor, diabetes and their families.

Bradley Parker, senior vice president of US Bank

Bradley Parker, senior vice president of US Bank (Mark Skalny photo).

Growing up, Parker watched his grandmother suffer from diabetes. He says he didn’t realize how “big” it is until until he began researching the disease soon after learning he would be receiving the ADA award.

“It seems like everywhere you turn, you uncover new information and you also uncover people that you know that you didn’t know had it,” Parker says.

He was driven to participate when he saw the impact the disease can have on the lives of children. Parker saw connections to his own experience with a rocky entry his twin sons experienced when they were born eight weeks premature.

“Whenever I see the children connection, it definitely pulls on my heartstrings,” he says. “So that was a big impact for me and a big reason I wanted to get involved after I realized what an impact it had on children, especially.”

Parker’s three kids are all different, all interested in different things.

“My kids are incredible,” Parker says, laughing tenderly as he talks about his own three children. “They light up my life every day. It’s amazing. I love watching them grow, and every single one of them absolutely inspires me every day to get better at what I do.”

When he is with his family, he enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors and just “doing whatever.”

Parker says this honor has sparked discussions in his family about the importance of community service.

“It’s always been a little bit of a challenge trying to explain to [the children] why we do what we do [charitably], but I think that this process — with me and my wife both being so involved, and just all the work we had to do around it — gave them a better understanding of why we do what we do,” he says.

The Parkers will most likely spend Father’s Day at his wife’s parents’ house here in town, where he said they usually end up having a Father’s Day pool party.

Tomorrow: Mike Tully, CEO of AAA Arizona

Hydrate for a cause

Beginning April 1, 10 cents from every case of Bashas’ water sold will be donated to the Desert Southwest Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Monies raised during the promotion, which ends June 30, will help fund research to find a cure for type 1 (juvenile) diabetes.

This is the second year that Bashas’ is holding the charitable water campaign to benefit JDRF. “We’re honored to be JDRF’s grocery partner,” says Edward Basha, vice president of retail operations for Bashas’. “We’ve had the privilege of supporting JDRF for more than 17 years, and our relationship continues to grow.”

“We truly appreciate Bashas’ generosity and support of our chapter and our community as a whole,” says Jenna Smith, JDRF’s corporate development manager.

To find a Bashas’ grocery store near you, visit bashas.com.