JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – The Jackson Walk for Diabetes is just around the corner, and they’re celebrating a milestone this year.

The event is celebrating its 30th anniversary of raising money to help those with the disease and to find a cure.

“So, 30 years is a big deal. We think about birthdays, and that’s why the whole thing is a birthday theme. That symbolizes 30 years just of Jackson’s support, which is where we’re located,” said Faith Ruchti, PR & Special Events Coordinator for Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi.

The 2024 walk has moved to a new location. This year, it will be held at LeFleur’s Bluff Playground on Saturday, October 5.

“We’re just going to try it out this year. Don’t get scared. We’re just going to see how it goes. But with the location being changed, we also had to change the day. So, we changed it to something where it was more kid friendly,” said Ruchti.

This year’s honorary chair is Hayden Tucker. She was diagnosed with diabetes as a child. Tucker said it’s important to recognize the symptoms.

“So, I had a lot of the classic symptoms. My mom was actually a nurse practitioner, so she was able to recognize it a little bit sooner. Which was good, because I didn’t hit any of the super major symptoms, but I just had the frequent, like, thirst. I was always thirsty, and I always had to go to the bathroom, and I was just having a difficult time, like at school with that,” she said.

Mississippi leads the nation with diabetes. The walk helps educate and support those living with the disease and their families. Th goal for this year’s walk is to raise $50,000. All of the proceeds will stay in Mississippi.

Registration for the walk will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the walk will begin at 10:00 a.m. WJTV 12 News’ Byron Brown will be the emcee for the event.

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