Diabetes Awareness Walk across US
Donation protected
O.D.D.e Warriors: fighting Obesity and Diabetes with Diet and exercise (ODDe).
Can you imagine being over 400 lbs, having all of your teeth pulled out because of diabetes-related infections, who then becomes a triathalete training with CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta? That’s just what internationally award winning Pacific writer Sia Figiel has done. How about being a young, queer, up and coming Samoan artist and filmmaker in the Pacific Northwest with a passion for healthy food choices, who puts your life on pause for a year to educate others on diabetes and obesity, which you do not suffer from? That’s what Mario Lemafa is doing.
On June 1, 2016, Sia and Mario began a year-long, 3,000 mile trek across Turtle Island (North America U.S.) to raise awareness of diabetes. Their trek began at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and will end in Long Beach, California. They have already walked through Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and are currently in Covington, Georgia: they have walked over 600 miles so far. Along the way, they have met with Pacific Islander and LGBTTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-Spirit, Queer) communities, and are making connections with others suffering from diabetes and/or obesity.
The purpose of the walk is to raise awareness of obesity and diabetes, an ever-growing health crisis, particularly among the Pacific Islander communities. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), 7 out of 10 American deaths are caused by diabetes. The World Health Organization (WHO) found that diabetes prevalence among adults in the Pacific region is among the highest in the world, with 47% in American Samoa and 13% in the mainland U.S. They have been documenting their journey on their Facebook page, W.O.W. Walking O.D.D.e Warriors.
All funds raised through GoFundMe will go towards lodging, healthy foods, and other supplies over the next 10 months. Their focus is healthy, plant-based, local and organic foods, and drinking only water for hydration. For those who have been following their walk so far, Sia, who has had diabetes for over a decade now, has had several small emergencies requiring immediate medical attention for her feet. First, in Virginia, where she suffered severe blisters from ill-fitting shoes and walking over 8 miles a day, to a bite on her foot in Georgia, requiring a trip to the hospital and antibiotics.
As a Native Hawaiian also diagnosed with and suffering the ill effects from diabetes, and watching my diabetic father, an accomplished athlete his entire life, suffer from multiple amputations, kidney failure and dialysis, and related cardiac problems requiring surgery, the ravages of diabetes hits close to home. As a friend, colleague, and Pacific writer/artist, I am so proud and encouraged by Sia and Mario’s efforts, and while not participating on the walk itself, have made exercise and healthier eating the highest priorities. Following their journey through phone calls, texts, and social media, I have seen the tremendous impact they’ve had on others they’ve encountered and befriended along the way. The kindness of strangers who have offered encouragement and support via small monetary donations, food, water, places to stay and invitations to speak at churches and community meetings has restored my faith in people, and has made me more empathetic towards others in need.
The mission statement for their walk is a traditional Samoan proverb, “Ua fuifui fa’atasi ae vao ese’ese”—We are from different parts of the forest, but connected in one cause. Mahalo nui loa—thank you very much for your support of Sia and Mario in this important endeavor.
Can you imagine being over 400 lbs, having all of your teeth pulled out because of diabetes-related infections, who then becomes a triathalete training with CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta? That’s just what internationally award winning Pacific writer Sia Figiel has done. How about being a young, queer, up and coming Samoan artist and filmmaker in the Pacific Northwest with a passion for healthy food choices, who puts your life on pause for a year to educate others on diabetes and obesity, which you do not suffer from? That’s what Mario Lemafa is doing.
On June 1, 2016, Sia and Mario began a year-long, 3,000 mile trek across Turtle Island (North America U.S.) to raise awareness of diabetes. Their trek began at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and will end in Long Beach, California. They have already walked through Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and are currently in Covington, Georgia: they have walked over 600 miles so far. Along the way, they have met with Pacific Islander and LGBTTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-Spirit, Queer) communities, and are making connections with others suffering from diabetes and/or obesity.
The purpose of the walk is to raise awareness of obesity and diabetes, an ever-growing health crisis, particularly among the Pacific Islander communities. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), 7 out of 10 American deaths are caused by diabetes. The World Health Organization (WHO) found that diabetes prevalence among adults in the Pacific region is among the highest in the world, with 47% in American Samoa and 13% in the mainland U.S. They have been documenting their journey on their Facebook page, W.O.W. Walking O.D.D.e Warriors.
All funds raised through GoFundMe will go towards lodging, healthy foods, and other supplies over the next 10 months. Their focus is healthy, plant-based, local and organic foods, and drinking only water for hydration. For those who have been following their walk so far, Sia, who has had diabetes for over a decade now, has had several small emergencies requiring immediate medical attention for her feet. First, in Virginia, where she suffered severe blisters from ill-fitting shoes and walking over 8 miles a day, to a bite on her foot in Georgia, requiring a trip to the hospital and antibiotics.
As a Native Hawaiian also diagnosed with and suffering the ill effects from diabetes, and watching my diabetic father, an accomplished athlete his entire life, suffer from multiple amputations, kidney failure and dialysis, and related cardiac problems requiring surgery, the ravages of diabetes hits close to home. As a friend, colleague, and Pacific writer/artist, I am so proud and encouraged by Sia and Mario’s efforts, and while not participating on the walk itself, have made exercise and healthier eating the highest priorities. Following their journey through phone calls, texts, and social media, I have seen the tremendous impact they’ve had on others they’ve encountered and befriended along the way. The kindness of strangers who have offered encouragement and support via small monetary donations, food, water, places to stay and invitations to speak at churches and community meetings has restored my faith in people, and has made me more empathetic towards others in need.
The mission statement for their walk is a traditional Samoan proverb, “Ua fuifui fa’atasi ae vao ese’ese”—We are from different parts of the forest, but connected in one cause. Mahalo nui loa—thank you very much for your support of Sia and Mario in this important endeavor.
Organizer and beneficiary
Ku'ualoha Ho'omanawanui
Organizer
Kaneohe, HI
Sia Figiel
Beneficiary
