Most people feel more positive at the beginning of the day

According to a new study, if you start the day feeling positive but get increasingly sad as the day goes on, you are in the majority. The study used Twitter to track mood swings and found that people have two happiness peaks early in the morning and again at about midnight.

Sociologists at Cornell University tracked tweets from more than 2 million Twitter users across the globe for over two years. Researchers found that the mood swing pattern was the same during the work week that is on weekends. Researchers said this emphasizes the important role of sleep and natural circadian rhythms on determining daily highs and lows.

Scott Golder, a co-author of the study said that Twitter provided them with a unique platform with which to look at these issues of mood swings across the globe. He said, "What was most surprising here was how consistent this pattern was across 84 countries."

VA Center Opens Kids Korner Waiting Room

Veterans who have medical appointments at VA Western New York Healthcare System and need assistance with childcare, can use the Kids Korner Waiting Room, at the Buffalo VA Medical Center, 3495 Bailey Avenue beginning Monday, October 3.  This free service is available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. by calling 716-862-8802 to make an appointment for children six weeks to 12 years of age. 

In July 2011, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced that Buffalo was one of three VA medical centers in the nation to be a part of the childcare pilot. This pilot program will benefit both men and women Veterans and was established by Congress as part for the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 signed by the President in May 2010.  In a survey, VA found that nearly a third of Veterans were interested in childcare services and more than 10 percent had to cancel or reschedule VA appointments due to lack of childcare. 

Health Association of Niagara County Inc. (HANCI) offers the supervised care for children at the Kids Korner Waiting Room at the Buffalo site. They currently also operate the childcare facility on the grounds of the Buffalo VA for employees. 

“We’ve been looking forward to this opportunity to provide a supervised childcare waiting room for Veterans while they are here for appointments,” stated Kathy Smythe, Program Manager, Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation New Dawn.  “The staff of HANCI has a structured plan of activities while the children wait.”  A ribbon cutting celebration is being planned for Thursday, October 27.  Other VA childcare pilot sites that will be open at a later date are Northport, NY and Puget Sound, WA. 

New Hope for Alzheimer's

For Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis and Brain Cancers, Cornell Finding May Permit Drug delivery to the Brain

Cornell University researchers may have solved a 100-year puzzle: How to safely open and close the blood-brain barrier so that therapies to treat Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and cancers of the central nervous system might effectively be delivered. (Journal of Neuroscience, Sept. 14, 2011.) The researchers found that adenosine, a molecule produced by the body, can modulate the entry of large molecules into the brain. For the first time, the researchers discovered that when adenosine receptors are activated on cells that comprise the blood-brain barrier, a gateway into the blood-brain barrier can be established.

Although the study was done on mice, the researchers have also found adenosine receptors on these same cells in humans. They also discovered that an existing FDA-approved drug called Lexiscan, an adenosine-based drug used in heart imaging in very ill patients, can also briefly open the gateway across the blood-brain barrier.

The blood-brain barrier is composed of the specialized cells that make up the brain’s blood vessels. It selectively prevents substances from entering the blood and brain, only allowing such essential molecules as amino acids, oxygen, glucose and water through. The barrier is so restrictive that researchers couldn’t find a way to deliver drugs to the brain – until now.

“The biggest hurdle for every neurological disease is that we are unable to treat these diseases because we cannot deliver drugs into the brain,” said Margaret Bynoe, associate professor of immunology at Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine and senior author of a paper appearing Sept. 14 in the Journal of Neuroscience. Aaron Carman, a former postdoctoral associate in Bynoe’s lab, is the paper’s lead author. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

“Big pharmaceutical companies have been trying for 100 years to find out how to traverse the blood-brain barrier and still keep patients alive,” said Bynoe, who with colleagues have patented the findings and have started a company, Adenios Inc., which will be involved in drug testing and preclinical trials.

Researchers have tried to deliver drugs to the brain by modifying them so they would bind to receptors and “piggyback” onto other molecules to get across the barrier, but so far, this modification process leads to lost drug efficacy, Bynoe said.

“Utilizing adenosine receptors seems to be a more generalized gateway across the barrier,” she added. “We are capitalizing on that mechanism to open and close the gateway when we want to.”

In the paper, the researchers describe successfully transporting such macromolecules as large dextrans and antibodies into the brain. “We wanted to see the extent to which we could get large molecules in and whether there was a restriction on size,” Bynoe said.

The researchers also successfully delivered an anti-beta amyloid antibody across the blood-brain barrier and observed it binding to beta-amyloid plaques that cause Alzheimer’s in a transgenic mouse model. Similar work has been initiated for treating multiple sclerosis, where researchers hope to tighten the barrier rather than open it, to prevent destructive immune cells from entering and causing disease.

Although there are many known antagonists (drugs or proteins that specifically block signaling) for adenosine receptors in mice, future work will try to identify such drugs for humans.

The researchers also plan to explore delivering brain cancer drugs and better understand the physiology behind how adenosine receptors modulate the blood-brain barrier.

Buffalo Medical Group Offers Online Bill Pay

WILLIAMSVILLE, NY – Buffalo Medical Group (BMG) patients using MyBMGChart now have a secure and convenient way to pay outstanding charges online through access to online bill pay.

With just a few clicks after logging onto their MyBMGChart account, Buffalo Medical Group patients may conveniently pay their bills with a debit or credit card. The bill pay process is secure because BMG does not store debit or credit card information.

Online bill pay is the latest feature added to MyBMGChart functionality following the addition of an iPhone application announced in April.

Nearly 26,000 Buffalo Medical Group patients are now enrolled in MyBMGChart, the patient portal in BMG’s electronic medical record system. Since 2008 MyBMGChart has enabled BMG patients to access their own health information from anywhere in the world using a password protected and secure Internet connection.

BMG patients using MyBMGChart can view test results and medications, review, request and cancel appointments, request prescriptions and receive health reminders. Also an email alert is sent to patients when new information is added to their medical chart.

Buffalo Medical Group patients must have an active MyBMGChart account to use online bill pay. If they do not have an account, they should contact their physician’s office to request an access code. Additional information about MyBMGChart is available on the Buffalo Medical Group web site at www.buffalomedicalgroup.com. Interested BMG patients also may call 630-1087. 

Buffalo community to take the Buffalo Yoga Aid Challenge: 108 Sun Salutations

The Buffalo community will join together for an "extreme" yoga practice at West Side Rowing Club - all to benefit the Africa Yoga Project.  This is part of a nationwide "Yoga Aid" event, taking place at locations throughout the United States.  This will be Buffalo’s first time holding the Yoga Aid event.  It is hoped to make Yoga Aid Challenge here in Buffalo one of the largest yoga classes in Buffalo’s history.

All participants will complete 108 sun salutations as part of the Yoga Aid Challenge. It will take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.  The participants in Buffalo are raising money for the Africa Yoga Project (AYP), a non-profit organization spreading yoga in Kenya. AYP teaches unity, possibility and non-violence to hundreds of students every week, many of whom are personally affected by HIV/AIDS. AYP is transforming lives and communities through their outreach in east Africa. Their inspiring work creates peace, community and help for those in need.

Yoga teachers from several different Buffalo area yoga studios will teach the sun salutations.  The money raised will go to train 50 new teachers in Kenya and surrounding counties in Africa.   It will enable them to have a job and sustain a living for themselves and their families.

For more information about the Yoga Aid challenge, go to: http://www.yogaaid.com

You can find out information about the Buffalo event by going to USA events, Buffalo.

For more information about the Africa Yoga Project go to: http://www.africayogaproject.org

Yoga Aid Challenge organizer Marie Phillips traveled to Kenya this summer with Africa Yoga Project and is available to share more information if needed.

Flyer has been attached as well.

Teachers and participants will be available for news stories leading up to the Yoga Aid Challenge and also the morning of the event.

                                                        

Schofield Adult Wellness Center Schedule

The Schofield Adult Wellness Center, located at the Schofield Residence Nursing Facility at 3333 Elmwood Avenue in the Town of Tonawanda, announces that registration is open for following programs scheduled for October. Call 995-3851 for reservations for one or more of the following programs:

“Vitamins & Minerals: Which Ones Should a Healthy Person Take?” takes place on Wednesday, October 5 at 2:00 p.m. If you have questions about which vitamins and minerals you should be taking, Sanford Levy, MD, has answers. In this presentation, he will define vitamins, minerals and supplements, and discuss how to choose the right ones for your particular needs. He will discuss multivitamins, individual vitamins and minerals, dietary supplements and supplement quality.

Schofield’s Annual “Brown Bag Medication Evaluation Clinic” is set for Thursday, October 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Do you have questions about: When you should take your medications? If your medications are affected by the foods you eat? What medications shouldn’t be taken together? For answers to these and other questions, schedule a free half-hour personal pharmacy consultation at the Schofield Residence Medication Evaluation Clinic.

On Wednesday, October 12 at 6:00 p.m., Dr. Li from the Dent Neurological Institute will discuss“Parkinson’s Disease.” This presentation will focus on diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s and the latest research.

“Know Your Risks: Cardiovascular Screening” is set for Wednesday, October 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. At this event, Buffalo Ultrasound will conduct preventative diagnostic ultrasound screenings to assess participants’ risk for: stroke (carotid artery), Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Peripheral Arterial Disease. Each non-invasive screening takes about 10 minutes and all three can be completed in about 1/2 hour. Participants have a choice of having one, two or all three screenings done. Information on cardiovascular disease risks, prevention and treatment will also be available. Screenings are $45 each, or $99 for all 3.  Reservations are required.

The topic on Wednesday, October 26 is “Putting Your Best Foot Forward – The Importance of Proper Footwear.” Come learn about why choosing the right shoe can make a difference. Craig Gonzales, Schofield’s Rehab Supervisor, and a trained pedorthist with Hook’s Shoes, will discuss some of the common problems caused by improper footwear, and tell us how to choose the right shoe.

“Know the 10 Signs – Early Detection Matters” takes place on November 2 at 1:00 p.m. November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Month. If you or someone you know is experiencing memory loss or behavioral changes, it’s time to learn the facts. Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease gives you a chance to begin drug therapy, enroll in clinical studies and plan for the future. This interactive workshop features clips of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Call 995-3851 or visit Schofield’s website at www.schofieldcare.org to register, or to learn more about any of these programs.

BUFFALO BILLS TEAM UP FOR ‘KNOW YOUR STATS’ AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

Bills partner with Roswell to host prostate cancer screening clinic October 4 at Ralph Wilson Stadium

One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, but with early detection, about 90 percent of these cancers will be cured. That’s why Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) and the Buffalo Bills are encouraging men over 40 to be proactive in understanding prostate cancer risk factors, screening guidelines and talking with their doctor about whether early-detection testing is right for them.

RPCI and the Bills are hosting the Prostate Cancer Early Diagnosis Outreach Clinic, a free prostate cancer education and screening event, in connection with the American Urological Association Foundation’s Know Your Stats About Prostate Cancer® campaign. RPCI doctors will be performing free screenings that will include prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests and digital rectal exams (DRE) for eligible men.

Several Buffalo Bills Alumni and the Buffalo Jills Cheerleaders will be on hand for the event, and tours of Ralph Wilson Stadium will be offered for those who attend.

WHEN:           Tuesday, October 4 from 3:30 pm to 7 pm

WHERE:         Paul Maguire Club, Ralph Wilson Stadium, 1 Bills Drive, Orchard Park, NY

 Pre-registration is requested. Men planning to attend the clinic should call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or complete the online registration form at http://www.roswellpark.org/knowyourstats. From that site, visitors can also access TV and radio ads featuring Bills wide receiver David Nelson, whose father is a prostate cancer survivor.

Rally towels promoting the Outreach Clinic will be distributed to the Bills Alumni and other onfield guests at the Bills’ home opener Sunday, September 18 against the Oakland Raiders.

Hiding vegetables in kids' foods can increase vegetable intake

Hiding vegetables in kids' foods can increase vegetable intake

Buffalo Heart Group and Niagara Falls Medical Center Join Forces

Buffalo Heart Group LLP is opening its seventh office at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center on 10th Street in Niagara Falls. Dr. Robert Neufeld, head of the hospital’s cardiology division, will join the practice, while six cardiologists from the practice join the hospital’s staff. Founded in 1987, Buffalo Heart Group is based on Bailey Avenue in Buffalo with offices in Cheektowaga, Hamburg, Wheatfield, Amherst and Niagara Falls. The affiliation with Niagara Falls Memorial is its sixth, with its cardiologists credentialed to serve patients at Millard Fillmore Suburban, Millard Fillmore Gates, Buffalo General, Mercy and Sisters of Charity-St. Joseph Campus.The six cardiologists joining the hospitals’ medical staff include Dr. Marie Iacona; Dr. Alan Meholick; Dr. Judyann Joy-Pardi; Dr. Irfan Khan; Dr. Richard Jennings; and Dr.Phong Nguyen-Ho. Also joining the medical staff are two nurse practitioners: Kathleen Ruggiero and Jennifer Earsing.Buffalo Heart Group offers a range of diagnostic, clinical and invasive cardiology services, including stress testing, vascular imaging, disease management and electrophysiology services. They join the current Heart Center staff at Memorial: Dr. Michael Merhige; and Dr. Eram Chaudhry, who provide both inpatient and outpatient cardiology services.

Kaskie Named “2011 Buffalo Niagara Executive of the Year”

James R. Kaskie, president and CEO of Kaleida Health and Great Lakes Health System of Western New York, has been named the 2011 Buffalo Niagara Executive of the Year by the University at Buffalo School of Management.

The award will be presented at the 62nd Annual School of Management Alumni Association Awards Banquet beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 3, at the Millennium Hotel Buffalo, 2040 Walden Avenue, Buffalo.

Kaskie was selected by a vote of past honorees and the board of directors of the alumni association, who cited his vision and leadership in building strategic partnerships.

After joining Kaleida Health in 2004 as president and COO, Kaskie was named to his current position in 2006. He leads a family of health care organizations that includes five hospitals, three skilled nursing facilities, 90 ambulatory care programs and sites, the Visiting Nursing Association and fully integrated operating and clinical systems.

Kaleida Health is Western New York’s largest private employer, serving nearly one million people a year and generating net revenue of $1.2 billion.

In 2007, Kaskie was elected president and CEO of the Great Lakes Health System of Western New York (GLH), the parent organization that oversees the integration of the Erie County Medical Center Corporation and the Kaleida Health System.

GLH serves as the principal partner with the University at Buffalo in training future health care professionals, including nearly 600 physician residents and fellows in training across numerous academic health programs. Kaskie is leading the consolidation process, bringing together nearly $1.5 billion in revenues, 13,000 employees and 2,000 physician partners.

Prior to joining Kaleida Health, Kaskie held executive leadership positions with Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), headquartered in Denver, Colo., from its inception in 1996 to 2004. Earlier in his career, Kaskie served as the president and CEO of Incarnate Word Hospital in St. Louis, a senior executive of Santa Rosa Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas as well as Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Active in the community, Kaskie serves on the board of directors for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and Medaille College and is the recipient of numerous awards in healthcare. Most recently, he received the Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s “Innovate Leadership” award. He also has been honored by D’Youville College with their “Achievement in Health Care” award, the National Federation for Just Communities “Leadership Award” and the Business First “Health Care 50” award.

Kaskie received a Master of Health Administration degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri, an MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati and a MA in theology from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri.

Natives of St. Louis, Mo., Kaskie and his wife, Jane, are now Buffalo residents. They have two adult children and three grandchildren.

Established in 1949, the Buffalo Niagara Executive of the Year award is presented annually to an individual who resides in or has a major impact on the region, and whose career has been distinguished by executive success and civic leadership. Recent honorees include Robert D. Gioia, president of The John R. Oishei Foundation, Donna M. Fernandes, president and CEO of the Buffalo Zoo, and John R. Koelmel, president and CEO of First Niagara Financial Group Inc.

For information about the awards banquet, contact the School of Management’s Office of Alumni and External Relations at mgt-alumni@buffalo.edu or 716-645-3224.

Kaleida Health and the University at Buffalo are leading the way in the transformation of Buffalo into a world-class health care destination. This year, the joint Kaleida Health-UB clinical care and research building will open on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. The 10-story facility will house Kaleida Health’s Global Vascular Institute and UB’s Clinical and Translational Research Center.

The UB School of Management is recognized for its emphasis on real-world learning, community and economic impact, and the global perspective of its faculty, students and alumni. The school also has been ranked by the Financial Times, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report and The Wall Street Journal for the quality of its programs and the return on investment it provides its graduates. For more information about the UB School of Management, visit mgt.buffalo.edu.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system that is its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB’s more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.

FREE Community Health Fair and Educational Symposium

Erie County Medical Center is sponsoring the “Let’s Get Moving FREE Community Health Fair and Educational Symposium” on Saturday, September 17, from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, 450 Masten Avenue at East Ferry. 

The promotion of a healthy lifestyle and stress reduction, primarily in the African and Latino American population, is the focus for this year’s event kicking off at 9:00 A.M. with a plenary session featuring area healthcare leaders: Dr. John Fudyma, Associate Medical Director, Erie County Medical Center (ECMC); Mary Khargbo, CEO, Sheehan Health Network; and Rev. Dr. James A. Lewis III, Director of Pastoral Care, ECMC. 

The free event will continue with break-out workshops beginning at 10:00 A.M. on topics including: Tai Chi, Yoga and Zumba with classes for women, men and teens; screening stations for diabetes/glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and HIV/AIDS.  Cooking demonstrations are scheduled for the lunch hour.  A children’s area will include entertainment and interactive learning called “Taste and See.”  The day will culminate with outdoor line dancing, beginning at 2:10 P.M., led by Jayme Glover Smith, as a reminder that it can be fun and easy to get exercise into your daily schedule. 

This project, co-chaired by Rita Hubbard-Robinson, from ECMC and Angela Blue from NYS AFL-CIO, was a partnership project bringing the churches of the Jeremiah Partnership together with Erie County Medical Center, Grupo Ministerial, Healthcare Education Project, Hispanics United of Buffalo, Masten Block Club Coalition, AFL-CIO - BWNY LCLAA & CBTU, Public Policy and Education Fund, and UNYTS. 

Event sponsors include: 1199 SEIU, Buffalo Board of Education, Independent Health Inc., American Diabetes Association, Assemblymember Crystal Peoples, Erie County Medical Center, Healthcare Education Project, Masten Councilmember Demone A. Smith, NYS AFL-CIO, Office of Cancer Health Disparities Research at Roswell Park Institute, Univera Healthcare, UNYTS, and WUFO. 

Event contacts are: Rita Hubbard-Robinson at 716-830-9913 and Angela Blue at 716-308-0002. 

State DOH to Approve ECMC TCU As Demonstration Project

ECMC Transitional Care Unit - First in WNY for Specific Patient Population

The New York State Department of Health tentatively approved creating a Transitional Care Unit Demonstration Project at Erie County Medical Center, officials announced today. 

The purpose of a Transitional Care Unit (TCU)—a less-costly and reimbursable service—is to reduce the number of days incurred in the hospital for Medicare patients whose stays exceed the necessary length of stay reimbursement rates.  Patients who would receive care in the TCU are medically stable with clear prognoses, but are still quite ill; those with complex conditions and/or requiring costly care; or patients who will be discharged to home within a few days. 

“We are pleased that New York State has approved our proposal to create a Transitional Care Unit.  This unit will be the first of its kind in Western New York.  The unit will result in better care for this unique patient group and also be reimbursed more appropriately,” said Jody L. Lomeo, CEO of ECMC Corp. 

“The fact that the Department of Health is referring to this initiative as a ‘demonstration project’ indicates to us that the New York State’s Division of Health Facility Planning sees the validity in our proposal and that establishing a Transitional Care Unit could set a more appropriate standard for care of this patient population across the state,” explained Richard Cleland, ECMC’s Senior Vice President of Operations.  “We anticipate that our TCU should be operational as early as June of 2012.”

On an average day at ECMC, 24 medical-surgical beds are occupied by patients for whom Medicare does not pay.  The medical center should discharge these patients more expeditiously, typically to Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) beds, for which Medicare would pay for extended convalescence.  However, a sufficient number of Medicare SNF beds are not available in Western New York.  A TCU would meet some of the need for additional beds, providing a unit that would administer the appropriate level of care that is also Medicare-reimbursable.  The TCU would appropriately be used to provide care for the most complex and costly patient conditions, while allowing ECMC’s medical-surgical beds to be used for patients requiring necessary medical-surgical care. 

“An ECMC TCU will bring in approximately $2.6 million in new Medicare dollars (through payments for previously unpaid services) that would yield about $1.6 million after expenses,” said Cleland.  “The community will be the real beneficiary of ECMC’s improved financial stability since we will have greater flexibility to meet service needs, expand innovative concepts, and subsidize care to other patients unable to afford health insurance.” 

The final approval of ECMC’s TCU is contingent upon final review of construction documents and inspection by the New York State Department of Health. 

ABOUT ERIE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER: The ECMC Corporation includes an advanced academic medical center (ECMC) with 550 inpatient beds and 136 skilled-nursing-home beds, on- and off-campus health centers, more than 30 outpatient specialty care clinics and a long-term care facility.  ECMC is the regional center for trauma, burn care, transplantation and rehabilitation and is a major teaching facility for the University at Buffalo.  Most ECMC physicians, dentists and pharmacists are dedicated faculty members of the university and/or members of a private practice plan. 

VA WNY Healthcare System Launches Electronic Records Exchange

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a new pilot site in Western New York area to improve the delivery of services to Veterans.

“VA Western New York Healthcare System is committed to offering new technologies that enhance our ability to provide Veterans in Western New York with high quality health care and services,” said Jason C. Petti, Interim Medical Center Director.

This pilot is part of the broader Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record (VLER) initiative. VLER is a multi-faceted business and technology initiative that includes a portfolio of health, benefits, personnel, and administrative information sharing capabilities. VA Western New York Healthcare System will partner with HEALTHeLINK to exchange health information electronically for Veterans who participate in the pilot.

VA selected the Western New York area because it has a high concentration of Veterans, military retirees, and members of the Guard and Reserve. Locally through HEALTHeLINK, there are 16 hospitals and over 1,800 clinicians participating in the VLER Health pilot.

Adding Western New York health information exchange builds on the success of the VLER Health pilot in places like San Diego; Hampton Roads in Virginia; and Spokane, Washington. Participants exchange information using the Nationwide Health Information Network.

Veterans in the area will be invited to participate in the health information exchange pilot, which launches this fall. Veterans who choose to participate will authorize their public and private sector health care providers to share specific health information electronically, safely, securely, and privately. No exchange of information will occur without the permission of participating Veterans.

More detailed information on the pilot program is available by calling 1-877-771-VLER (8537).

Stopping diabetes can begin with a single step

(ARA) - Do you or a loved one have diabetes? Have you lost someone close to you to diabetes? If you or a loved one suffer from diabetes, or if you've lost someone close due to the disease, you know just how important it is to take strides to stop diabetes.

Step Out! On Saturday, October 15 you can Walk to Stop Diabetes at the American Diabetes Association's signature fundraising walk at Coca Cola Field in Buffalo. This year you can walk with the Red Jackets (those who have diabetes), form your own family or corporate team, or join the Buffalo Healthy Living team.

Every year, thousands of families touched by diabetes and members of nationwide business communities pledge their support to the event. More than $20 million a year is raised through the walk to support the association's mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

Step Out is a great way to show support for the nearly 26 million children and adults in the U.S with diabetes and the 79 million more who are at risk. Every 17 seconds, someone new is diagnosed with diabetes.

People with diabetes can choose to walk as a Red Strider. A Red Strider is someone who has diabetes - type 1, type 2 or gestational - who can proudly walk as an individual or create a team and walk with friends, family and co-workers. Pam Beamer is a Certified Diabetes Educator, Registered Dietician, and President of the Board of the American Diabetes Association, WNY Chapter. She is one of the many walkers who will be stepping out as a Red Strider this year. Pam was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes more than 34 years ago. With a concentrated effort to improve her health Pam has never experienced complications associated Diabetes, and attributes this to using  all tools available to her, including regular exercise and a healthy diet.

"This year, once again, I've joined the fight to stop diabetes by participating in the Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes," says Pam. "I am honored be a Red Strider to help motivate others living with this challenging disease."

The purpose of the Red Strider program is to support everyone who lives with diabetes and to show the courage it takes to live with this disease. "The day of the walk is really a time to celebrate all of the accomplishments of the teams and individual participants, as well as a great opportunity to promote awareness about diabetes," adds Pam.

The many benefits of walking, for those with and without diabetes, include:

* Burning calories. By walking just an extra five minutes a day you can burn an additional 24 calories per workout. That may not seem like much, but over the course of one year it adds up to a total of 8,760 additional calories burned.

* Improving blood fats. Exercise can raise good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. These changes are heart healthy.

* Relieving stress. Work out or walk off daily stress.

* Improving blood glucose management. Activity makes your body more sensitive to the insulin you make. Activity also burns glucose (calories). Both actions lower blood glucose.

The American Diabetes Association's movement to stop diabetes is helping to change the future of diabetes. To register for Buffalo’s Step Out on October 15 visit http://www.diabetes.org. Or Join Buffalo Healthy Living’s Team and walk with us! Go to www.buffalohealthyliving.com, look for the pink box, and click on Join Our Team.