JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Hundreds of thousands of Mississippians are living with diabetes, a disease that can be combated with exercise and healthy foods.
It was a crowded starting line Sunday at the Southern Farm Bureau for Mississippi's Walk for Diabetes.
Participants laced up and rounded the course to raise money for the diabetes foundation in hopes of finding a cure and funding various programs.
More than 372,000 Mississippians are affected by the disease.
It is the sixth leading cause of death in the state.
Organization officials said more than 850,000 are at risk of developing diabetes.
The annual walk was a great way to get the heart pumping and fight the odds of developing the illness.
"Every dollar we raise stays in Mississippi and that's important because we do patient assistance. We have educational programs. The way to defeat diabetes is through education, and we're big supporters of that," said Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi Associate Director Irena McClain.
Organizers said about 1,000 people participated in the 19th annual walk.
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