The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi will return to Hattiesburg on 18 October, with proceeds supporting emergency assistance, education and programmes for children and families living with diabetes.
The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi is preparing to bring its annual Walk for Diabetes back to Hattiesburg on 18 October, using the event to raise both funds and awareness for children and adults living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes across the state. The non-profit says the walk is part of its wider mission to improve life for Mississippians affected by diabetes through education, support, advocacy and medical assistance.
The event is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at USM Gateway on the Longleaf Trace, with registration opening an hour earlier. Participants will be able to choose either a 1-mile or 3-mile route, while the afternoon will also feature food, local vendors and activities for children. Although the walk is free to attend, the foundation encourages a minimum donation of $25 where possible.
According to the foundation’s website, its Walks for Diabetes are held across Mississippi and are designed to do more than raise money. The organisation says proceeds support emergency patient assistance, community education and Camp Kandu, which serves children with diabetes and their families. The foundation also highlights programmes such as We Care 2, which helps families whose children have recently been diagnosed.
Jowilla Secoy, regional director for the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, said Hattiesburg remains an important stop because of the number of children and adults living with diabetes in the Pine Belt and nearby communities. Speaking to Our Mississippi Home, she said the effort is rooted in neighbourhood support and the need to be present for families dealing with the condition. This year’s walk has a fundraising target of about $20,000, and the Bernat family will serve as honorary chair family after their daughter, Anna Kate, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in February 2025. According to the foundation, the family first connected with the organisation at last year’s Hattiesburg walk and later received help through We Care 2, including a backpack with books, testing supplies, a stuffed animal and a basketball.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
