Fort Lee, Cliffside Park to Team Up Against Diabetes

The communities of Fort Lee and Cliffside Park are teaming up with the Diabetes Foundation for a free health fair, as well as the fourth annual “Run the Palisades” 5K run and walk next week.

Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich and Cliffside Park Mayor Gerry Calabrese lead the committee that plans the now annual event, with the 5K going through both towns—this year starting in Fort Lee—and organizers hoping the event brings out more than 500 participants.

“Four or five years ago, I remember having a heated debate with a colleague of mine from Cliffside Park, who, as many of you know, are our arch rivals in sports, and we just came up with this idea that we would switch years and have this diabetes run,” Sokolich said. “We’re now in our fourth year [alternating towns], and we continue to compete with each other so that each year it gets bigger and better.”

This year’s health fair is designed to provide basic preventative medical information and screenings, according to a spokesperson from the Diabetes Foundation.

“There will be a variety of vendors and exhibitors to educate on all aspects of health, wellness, fitness and lifestyle improvements,” said Roberta Schmidt, executive director of the Paramus-based Diabetes Foundation, which serves all of New Jersey. “Local hospitals will be in attendance offering free health screenings, including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, vision and foot care.”

In addition, Canine Partners for Life and will be on hand to provide information about how diabetes affects pets, she said.

People between the ages of 18 and 60 can also “help save lives” by signing up for the bone marrow registry if they meet the health guidelines and are “willing to donate to any patient in need,” according to Schmidt.

“You will be asked to sign a registration form and have a tissue sample collected by the buccal swab method,” she said. “A tissue sample is simply obtained by swabbing the inside of your cheek.”

The 2012 health fair is specifically focused on educating people about coping and living with diabetes, a disease impacting about 750,000 people in New Jersey and “rising to epidemic proportions,” according to the Diabetes Foundation, as well as prevention.

“Participants will receive guidance and tips on nutrition, diet plans, exercise ideas and opportunities to talk to diabetes specialists and local agencies,” Schmidt said.

The health fair takes place inside the Fort Lee Community Center and includes a “Healthy Kids Fun-Run” and the 5K run or walk.

“I’m proud that it’s here this year because we’re not just about brick and mortar,” Sokolich said. “We’re about activities; we’re about things to do with our kids and with our families.”

The mayor added, “It’s a very, very important cause, and Fort Lee’s proud to be a part of it.”

“We had several hundred runners last year; we’d like to do better this year,” Sokolich said.

The 5K run takes place on a USATF-certified flat and fast course. Awards will be given out in a variety of categories, according to borough officials.

The health fair takes place at the at 1355 Inwood Terrace on Sunday, May 20, starting at 9:30 a.m., with the 5K starting at 10:15 a.m. and check-in starting at 7:30 a.m.

You can pre-register for the 5K run or walk for $20 ($18 for USATF members) or register for $25 on the day of the event. For kids, the entry fee is $10.

More information is available on the Borough of Fort Lee’s website.