JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – The 30th Jackson Walk for Diabetes was held on Saturday, October 5 at LeFleur’s Bluff Playground.

Hayden Tucker was this year’s honorary walk chair. She was diagnosed with diabetes as a child and is now in med school.

“When I was diagnosed, I was seven-years-old. That obviously had a great impact on me. That inspired me to go into a healthcare profession. I went to college and got a pre-med degree, then I started med school last year,” Tucker said.

Dionne Jones Woody, chapter president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., said events like this are important to have in Mississippi. The state leads the nation with diabetes, and many Mississippians live with Type 2 diabetes.

Saturday’s walk was a first for Becky Williams, the current Miss Mississippi. She said it’s important for people of all ages to get up and moving.

“Whether it’s walking around the grocery store instead of having your groceries delivered or walking to the mailbox instead of driving by and getting your mail out, it’s those little changes that everybody can make every single day,” said Williams.

WJTV 12 News’ Byron Brown was the emcee of Saturday’s event. The goal was to raise $50,000, and the proceeds will stay in Mississippi to help those with the disease and to find a cure.

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