Husky News

A diabetes education program in Bethel will pay the entry fees for local mushers competing in dogsled races this winter. The Diabetes Program of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. has set aside about $25,000 for the new partnership with the local dogsled racing nonprofit organization, in the hope it will spread an encouraging message about eating well and exercising regularly.

“If you can promote health, you can prevent diabetes. And one way to do that is promote traditional activities. We just wanted to help the local mushers. So any musher who is from the Y-K Delta is eligible to have their entry fee paid to any event sponsored by the K300,” said Peter Christian, diabetes program director.

Christian said paying mushers’ entry fees is consistent with a mission at the Delta’s federal hospital.

“We’re hoping to have more local people involved. Our slogan at our YKHC is ‘return to tradition,’” he said, and he sees the promotion of dogsled racing as one way to assist a modern, competitive version of a Northern tradition.

The premier local race, the Kuskokwim 300, has attracted more than two dozen teams in recent years. But local participation has suffered: the race had just five local racers last year.

Racers from the Delta comprise almost all of the entrants in a series of smaller races. The 100-mile Aniak Dash draws 10-15 racers and the 250-mile Bogus Creek race draws 15-20, said race organizer Myron Angstman.

Angstman said he hopes the financial boost attracts mushers who might have been thinking twice about participating.

“I would hope it would draw a few,” he said. It’s a reward for those who “normally take part and provide entertainment for the rest of us.”

Christian said mushers are asked to speak about eating well and exercising in their own communities. Rates of Type II diabetes are on the rise in the Delta. Young people are diagnosed with the disease more often, and at younger ages. This trend can turn around, but he knows this won’t be easy.

“If they could just get kids to quit drinking pop and eating chips we’d be happy because that’s what we’re trying to do,” he said.

The $25,000 partnership begins this year and may last for as many as three years. Last year’s entry fees for the Kuskokwim 300, Bogus Creek race, and Aniak Dash were $500, $250 and $100, respectively.

Source: The Tundra Drums