On May 10, the Dartmouth Diabetes Link — a student advocacy group for students with diabetes at Dartmouth — raised $10,700 for the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center endocrinology department at the inaugural Dartmouth Diabetes Dash 5K run. The money will be donated to a DHMC fund to subsidize the cost of diabetes education for recently diagnosed patients, according to Diabetes Link co-president Coston Autry ’28.
Approximately 200 people ran the 5K, which took place at Dewey Field Lot. The event partnered with multiple local organizations and businesses and provided gift card prizes for local establishments to participants.
Participant Lana Avalos Batres ’28 said she heard about the event through her friends, who helped plan the fundraiser.
“We’ve been learning about the screening process and the different types of diabetes,” Batres said. “I learned that the median age for diagnosis is 24, which is much higher than what would probably be expected. It’s very interesting.”
Natalie Rodriguez GR said she participated in the event because her late grandmother had diabetes.
“I like running, so it’s the best of both worlds,” Rodriguez said.
Before the race began, state senator Suzanne Prentiss delivered a speech about the importance of student advocacy for diabetes awareness. She said she was inspired to attend the event by Diabetes Link members who traveled to Concord to advocate for diabetics on college campuses.
“Your voice matters,” Prentiss said. “When people come in and tell their stories, I'm super interested in hearing them, and I know my colleagues are too.”
Diabetes Link co-president Kyriakos Papasavas ’28 said he formed the chapter with Autry because they were concerned that there were no advocacy groups for the “large population” of students with type one and type two diabetes.
Since its formation, the Dartmouth Diabetes Link has worked closely with the College to raise awareness and create better conditions for those living with diabetes on college campuses, Autry said. This year, the group testified to the state legislature in favor of Bill 102, which promotes “diabetes education materials to recognize the signs and symptoms of type one diabetes,” Autry said.
“The Upper Valley community is truly special,” Papasavas said. “I don’t believe this event could have happened anywhere else.”
