Beaumont welcomes The Longest Walk 3 and fights diabetes

Beaumont has joined American Indians across the country in the long journey to fight diabetes and promote healthy living.

On Thursday, Feb. 17, the city welcomed a group of walkers, runners and the motorcycle group Rez Riders as they all stopped at the Civic Center while taking part in a cross-country relay called the Longest Walk 3—Reversing Diabetes. It’s a 5,400-mile trek to raise awareness about diabetes that started this week in La Jolla, and is scheduled to end on July 8 in Washington D.C.  The health initiative is being led Dennis Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement (AIM).

Hometown greeting

At the Beaumont Civic Center, Mayor Brian De Forge presented the group with a city proclamation that urged everyone to join the effort and help eradicate diabetes by early detection, diet and exercise. American Indians have the highest rate of diabetes of any U.S. racial and ethnic group, according to the American Diabetes Association.

At the ceremony outside the Civic Center, the mayor and Maurice Lyons, Tribal Council Vice Chairman for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, praised those involved in Longest Walk 3 for their efforts to spotlight a disease that is now reaching epidemic levels.

 “We are pleased to join all of our Native American friends, local residents, and our neighbors, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, and the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, in this very worthwhile cause,” De Forge said after the presentation.

Lyons said the Longest Walk will play an important role in raising awareness about diabetes nationwide. “The Morongo Band of Mission Indians applauds the commitment and spirit of those participating in the Longest Walk 3 as they spread their message of hope, health and prevention. Native Americans are more than twice as likely to suffer from diabetes as other groups. We hope that the Longest Walk 3 inspires people across the country to adopt healthy diets and lifestyles so that they might live free of this disease.”

Staying the course

On Thursday, the Inland Empire’s leg of the Longest Walk 3 started in the morning at the Soboba Reservation near San Jacinto, stopped about noon at the Beaumont Civic Center and ended as night fell on the Morongo Reservation near Banning. At its height, the procession of walkers, runners and motorcyclists included about 350 people. Each group took turns covering a portion of the route on Thursday.

After a "Reversing Diabetes Health Fair” on Friday, Feb. 18, at the Morongo Reservation, the walkers, runners and Rez Riders struck out again Sunday, Feb. 20, headed for Palm Springs. With each step, they hope to raise awareness about diabetes and save lives.