WALK 2014 saw a huge milestone as more than 21,000 people came together at Yas Marina Circuit, spotlighting diabetes, with inaugural HealthX forum lauded as a great success.
More than 21,000 people joined forces to take a combined 150 million steps at Yas Marina Circuit yesterday in support of diabetes awareness – the largest turnout in the event’s eight-year history.
Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, WALK 2014 is organised by Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC) and is again supported by Daman, who have been behind the Walk since its launch in 2007.
This year also saw Health Authority Abu Dhabi, Healthpoint and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi join in, helping to stir up the bumper interest among public and corporate communities across the UAE to walk the 5.5km F1 circuit and help raise awareness of a healthy lifestyle, the key to Diabetes prevention.
The intention behind WALK 2014 is to increase awareness that regular exercise and a balanced diet is paramount for long-term wellbeing, noting that walking for only 30 minutes every day can greatly reduce the risk of developing diabetes, and related complications.
“WALK 2014 is a key date in our community calendar and we were delighted to be part of today’s successful event,” added Dr Michael Bitzer, CEO of Daman.
“Increasing activity levels and getting people to exercise and improve their health is one of our ongoing strategic goals as a company.”
Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit, said: “WALK 2014 was the most successful edition to date and we are sincerely grateful to the ever-growing community of health and fitness enthusiasts that came along to ‘Take a Step for Diabetes’ at the circuit today.
"Our commitment to facilitating health and fitness initiatives that have a tangible effect on the lives of people in the UAE is ongoing, and we look forward to welcoming anyone that wishes to make a change in their lifestyles at our regular activities open to all fitness levels at Yas Marina Circuit.”
