Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

GPS students raise diabetes awareness

Students at Gurdon Primary School were told that they have almost become the top-fund raising school in the state for the American Diabetes Association as they prepared to walk in the annual Walk for Diabetes.

This is Gurdons third year to participate in the walk, according to GPS physical education instructor Beth Miller. The program helps educate students about the risks of diabetes and allows them to raise money for diabetes research.

The schools goal for this year is $2,200. To date, students have brought in about $1,700.

Jeff Riggs, associate director of the American Diabetes Association, was on hand as students made laps around the Gurdon Walking Trail. He said the school will get to keep a percentage of the money, but a majority will be used for research.

Unlike other schools which raise money based on the number of laps students walk, students in Gurdon simply took blanket donations, Miller said.

All of the students who participate receive a prize, and Riggs said ADA supplies other prizes for students based on a scale which corresponds with the amount of money they bring in.

Miller said the school uses February to stress diabetes awareness in the classroom with the walk occurring in March.