Stanhope resident will celebrate her 30th birthday at the Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes

Candace Peterson-Phelps clearly remembers the day she found out she had type 1 diabetes. “It was a Monday morning and my mother got the call from my doctor, who told her that we had to go to the hospital right away,” she said. “I was beyond confused and scared. When we got to the hospital my sugar was over 300, and they explained what was going on and why I was there.” Peterson-Phelps was nine-years old. She said that her life “completely changed” following her diagnosis. “I was angry that I was the only one who had this crazy disease.”

However, after enduring awkwardness and countless nurse visits while growing up, more than 20 years later, Peterson-Phelps has turned this “crazy disease” into one of the most positive parts of her life. “I have realized the importance of having an active and healthy lifestyle as a diabetic,” she said.

One of the ways in which Peterson-Phelps leads this “active and healthy lifestyle” is through participating in the American Diabetes Association’s Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes. This October, Peterson-Phelps will be captaining her team, “Insulin Angels”, in the Central NJ Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes for the third time. The walk, which will take place on October 16 in Bridgewater, NJ, is also on Peterson-Phelps’s 30th birthday. “I am trying to make it a party, so I am getting a lot of my friends and family involved to celebrate the day and the cause all at the same time!” she said.

While Peterson-Phelps admits that at first she was reluctant to participate in the Step Out Walk, she eventually became inspired by the event. “After the first walk I was excited about how many people who were not diabetic cared, and were active participants in helping to spread awareness and raise money for the cause. After my aunt and I got back from the walk we had a discussion about our own team and that is how the Insulin Angels came to be that following year,” she said.

Insulin Angels — a name coined by Peterson-Phelps’s aunt — consists of Peterson-Phelps’s family, friends, and co-workers. The team is a mix of diabetics and non-diabetics, but everyone has the common goal of supporting diabetics and raising money to help find a cure for the disease.

As team captain of Insulin Angels, Peterson-Phelps helps to recruit people to do the walk and raise money. “I also like to host dinners for the walk, and all profits go toward it as well,” she said. “I inform all the team members that if they show up and help, the profits from the dinners will be split evenly between all of us, so we all have equal shares toward our goal.”

Participating in Step Out Walk has also encouraged Peterson-Phelps to educate her community about diabetes, and has introduced her to an entirely new support system. “It is great to meet new people who share similar issues or stories with you, and it makes you feel that you are not alone in dealing with this disease,” she said. “I have met so many amazing people on my journey in the Step Out community, and I hope to continue to meet more.”

This year, Peterson-Phelps is looking forward to seeing many of those people at the Central NJ Step Out Walk, and she will celebrate her 30th birthday surrounded by them. However, Peterson-Phelps is not the only one celebrating a milestone at this year’s Step Out Walk; the American Diabetes Association will also be celebrating the 25th anniversary of this event. The day will be filled with celebrating, spreading awareness, raising money for a good cause, and of course, walkers like Peterson-Phelps. “My favorite part of every walk is seeing the faces of the walkers. They all look so happy and proud of the work they have done, and they should feel that way,” she said.

If you are interested in participating in, raising money for, or learning more about any of the Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes events, please visit stepout.diabetes.org.

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes with its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by all forms of diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure, and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives a voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission was, and is, to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.