By: Allyza Platitas
Last November 15, PSD Senior Scouts, troop leaders, and various people from different walks of life gathered in the Oxygen Park, Education City for the Annual Diabetes Walkathon to raise awareness about diabetes prevention. This year’s diabetes global walk with the theme “Protect Your Family” was organized by the Qatar Diabetes Association and partnered by the Qatar Foundation.
The event gave away shirts and caps with this event’s logo to the participants to create a sense of unity despite the differences in age, nationality, skin color, and gender. Many other companies and organizations had their booths with fun and immersive activities for the participants. The 7th Heaven Arts Center had a painting station, live art show, and a message wall for participants to express their thoughts and heartfelt words for diabetic people. Some booths focused on health awareness which was manned by Hamad Heart Hospital and Tobacco Control Center representatives. Moreover, there were awareness tents and check-up stations where people lined up to have their blood sugar level tested and their Body Mass Index (BMI) computed. These two tests were helpful determinants of whether they were at risk of being diabetic or not.
Additionally, there were fun games and sports for everyone to enjoy. Various Qatar-based sports associations had set-up the playing areas for basketball, table tennis, martial arts, tug of war, and archery. Qatar Women’s Sports Committee had constructed a mini obstacle course for the children to participate in. While the adults enjoyed the Qatar Foundation’s exercise bikes and aerobics activities. The event’s finale was the actual walk around the park. All participants assembled behind the starting line. In front of the line was the marching band, followed by the participating schools like Qatar Academy, PSD, Philippine International School Qatar (PISQ), MES Indian School, and more. Behind them were the participating companies and various individuals who wanted to join the walkathon.
Indeed, health is wealth and prevention is better than cure. Events such as this are very helpful in spreading awareness on important issues like diabetes to lessen the number of affected people and prevent our loved ones from experiencing this condition. Having participated in an event like this reminded PSDians about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and allowed them to exercise their core-value of being pro-people. Thus, making them more understanding and caring towards the welfare of other people. PSD is truly making a global impact, one step at a time.