WHAT:    Get Going Oregon! — a 30-day walking challenge to support diabetes prevention, education and outreach programs at the Oregon Health & Science University Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center — launches with a kick-off event at South Waterfront July 24.

Some 200,000 Oregonians have diabetes and another 500,000 have pre-diabetes. Sadly, three Oregonians die from diabetes every day.

“By participating in the Get Going Oregon! challenge, Oregonians, no matter where they live, can make a difference. Participants will learn about prevention and control of diabetes and be a part of the solution for healthier Oregon children, adults and families,” said Andrew Ahmann, M.D., director of the OHSU Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center and professor of medicine (endocrinology, diabetes and clinical nutrition) in the OHSU School of Medicine.

Get Going Oregon! kick-off activities will include:
•    5-mile, 3 mile and 1-mile walks along the Willamette River with multiple start times
•    Healthy food, fitness, health and activity fair
•    Cooking classes in the march wellness demonstration kitchen
•    ZUMBA fitness participatory demonstration class
•    Hula Hoop exercise demonstrations and entertainment
•    Heart, vision, knee and impact health screenings
•    march wellness fitness classes
•    Grand prize picnic baskets for top fundraisers in each category — individual, family and team who also walk an average of 10,000 steps a day in August
•    Portland Aerial Tram rides free for registered participants
•    Individual, family and team walking competitions for August

Registered participants receive entry into the walk, free Portland Aerial Tram rides during the kick-off, a high-quality Oregon Scientific digital pedometer, Get Going Oregon! visor, a special activity tracker and entry into the August activity and fundraising challenge.  Activities are available on a first-come first-served basis, and space is limited.

WHEN:    Saturday, July 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE:    OHSU Center for Health & Healing, South Waterfront 3303 S.W. Bond Street

DETAILS:    Participants register online, setting activity goals for the month of August with an average of 10,000 steps a day. Participants fundraise with personal or team Web pages by e-mailing friends and family. Goals are: $100 for individuals; $500 for families (three to five people); and $1000 for teams.

Walker Tracker, a Portland area software company specializing in company wellness programs and walking challenge events, has created a custom Web site for the event. Individuals and teams will post their steps and monitor their status in the competition online. For more information or to register, visit: www.active.com/donate/getgoingoregon

The event is co-sponsored by Aetna Foundation, Albertsons and Walker Tracker.