Rite Aid-sponsored walk raises more than $600,000 for diabetes association

PHILADELPHIA More than $600,000 was raised for the American Diabetes Association Saturday as men and women from across the country climbed more than 1,000 stairs and walked 10 miles throughout Philadelphia in the first Step Up to Fight Diabetes fund-raising challenge that was sponsored by Rite Aid. The Step Up event raised mondy for research, education and advocacy efforts of the association.

During Step Up, participants went on a "climbing tour" of Philadelphia beginning at Temple University's Liacouras Center and ending at the well-known Philadelphia Museum of Art—running up those steps was immortalized by Sylvester Stallone in the film Rocky.

"Diabetes is the fastest-growing disease in America and the incidence of the disease is four percent higher in Philadelphia than the national average," stated American Diabetes Association chief executive officer Larry Hausner. "Our hope is that Step Up can spread awareness about diabetes and raise money for a cure."

Other Step Up to Fight Diabetes sponsors included Merck, AstraZeneca and the Temple University Health System Transport Team.