The Utah Diabetes Center 5K Run and Walk on Saturday, March 23 will kick off a week long celebration to introduce the community to its new facility for diabetes patient care, education and research.
The center, part of U Hospitals and Clinics, will also host an open house, tours and a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 27 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The events will coincide with two state declarations to be signed by Gov. Mike Leavitt on March 19 recognizing March 23 to 30 as Utah Diabetes Alert Week and March 27 as Utah Diabetes Awareness Day.
The 5K run and walk is open to everyone and will begin at 9 a.m. at the Utah Diabetes Center, 615 Arapeen Drive in Research Park.
Registration will cost $15 through March 18 and $20 thereafter. The fee includes T shirts (for the first 100 participants), refreshments and door prizes for participants and winners.
Registration forms are available at the Utah Diabetes Center; In Soles, 1356 Foothill Dr.; or on-line: www.uuhsc.utah.edu/utahdiabetescenter/ceremonies.
According to Ara Serjoie, spokesman for the Utah Diabetes Center, the center’s opening is a landmark in diabetes treatment in Utah, a state where more than 116,000 people suffer from the disease.
The Utah Diabetes Center offers patient care, education, nutrition and exercise instruction and social services. It is the only diabetes resource of its kind in the Intermountain West that provides comprehensive diabetes care through all stages of a patient’s life.