On November 20, the Universidad Europea collaborated in the 5th Edition of the Popular Race and Walk for Diabetes and ExpoDiabetes, organized by the Madrid Diabetes Association and the Foundation for Diabetes. Over 4,000 runners took part in the largest sporting-charity event in Spain to fight against diabetes. For the fourth consecutive year , Physical Therapy students and their professors offered a consultancy service for attendees and treatment for runners.
Under the slogan 'Join the blue wave, get moving for diabetes', the race ran along the Paseo Camoens in the Parque del Oeste, Madrid. The race and ExpoDiabetes, organized parallel to the sporting events, received a record 5,000 people. Visitors had the chance to receive information on caring for and dealing with different aspects of health and complications of diabetes at a dozen fair stands, including the Universidad Europea stand manned by physical therapy professors and students.
This year, the starting orders for the 10 km and 5 km races were given by guests of honor, the manager of Spain’s national soccer team, Julen Lopetegui, and journalist Emilio Pineda. Once again, the 5th Edition of the Popular Race and Walk for Diabetes raised public awareness on the importance of regularly doing sport to prevent diseases such as type 2 diabetes, and to improve the control and quality of life of those who suffer from this disease. The organizers assigned all the funds raised to implementing future projects.
For our future physical therapists, this is undoubtedly a stimulating learning environment to put the skills and competencies learned during their education to practice, while also contributing to responding to the needs of our society.