9/15/2008

Shawty Lo Supports Diabetes Foundation

It's about time Shawty Lo is finally doing something good for someone other than himself. The Atlanta bred rapper is throwing his support behind the American Diabetes Association’s largest fundraising event in an effort to raise awareness about the disease in the African-American and Latino communities, AllHipHop.com has learned.

The Bankhead rapper will participate in the ADA’s Step Out and Walk to Fight Diabetes event on September 20 at Atlanta’s Historic Grant Park.

Shawty Lo, born Carlos Walker, was diagnosed with the widespread disorder in 2001. To show his support, the rapper will lead team Diabetes Destroyers, as they complete the walk to help raise funds for a cure for diabetes, which affects 23.6 million children and adults in the United States.

"Anything I can do to help raise awareness about diabetes, I will be there," Shawty Lo said. "Everybody knows at least one person that has it, so it’s like when we participate in events, walks and things of that nature, we’re really helping somebody we care about, as well as ourselves because you never know when or how it can affect you."

On-site registration for the Atlanta Step Out and Walk event will open at 7:00 am, during which a light breakfast will be served. Following an aerobic warm-up, the walk itself will start with an official ribbon cutting ceremony at 8:30am.

The ADA will also offer a Health and Wellness Festival providing products, information and services for children and adults who live with diabetes, which affects the body’s creation and use of insulin.