This video "Share Your Story" comes from Theresa, who came out to the Raleigh rally on Tuesday. Valerie Egel of the Million Step March team from BCBSNC did the honors on the interview.

Posted by Kyle Marshall on April 30, 2008

Throughout the Million Step March, Kathy and Gary are joined by at least one "guest walker" from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Last week, Bethany Archer, from BCBSNC's Winston-Salem operations, spent time on the road with the Million Step March team. Here's her account:

During the week of April 24, 2007 I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a potentially lethal addition to my high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol. I made a decision at that time to be in control of my health, not my health in control of me.

With the help of my physician, BCBSNC diabetes case manager and nutritionist (Member Health Partnerships program), I got the diabetes under control and at the same time lowered my blood pressure and cholesterol. I slowly added walking into my daily routine, from once or twice a week to 5-6 days each week.

I rounded off the past year by walking with Gary and Kathy in the Million Step March. I found it ironic that my turn to walk with them came exactly one year after being diagnosed with diabetes. By eating a healthy diet and walking, I have managed to eliminate diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol medications and lose almost 30 pounds. Walking not only improved my health, but my attitude and perspective as well.

I was a little disappointed at first to be walking through my hometown. Where was the excitement and adventure in that? Needless to say, I was wrong in thinking that there would be nothing new or exciting to see along the way. You see things walking that you wouldn’t otherwise notice while driving by. Flowers, trees, architecture. You also see (and smell) things you’d rather not. Trash, road kill, more trash.

Walking 60 miles in the Million Step March is an experience I won’t soon forget. Sore feet and sunburned ears were only a small price to pay for the adventure and meeting new people.

Thanks Gary, Kathy, Tangela and James for the encouragement and support. You guys are great!

Bethany Archer

Shared on April 30, 2008 Share your story

What a great day for a walk! Hundreds of downtown Raleigh folks joined Kathy Higgins, Gary Marino and the Million Step March team today to mark the near-halfway point of our statewide walking campaign.

After a chilly start to the morning, Kathy and Gary took the stage at 11:30 a.m. to thank the crowd and inspire everyone to keep logging those steps. "We're a bottomless cup of walking enthusiasm, all of a sudden," Gary said. "North Carolina, keep it healthy and keep on marching."

We'll have much more to share from Raleigh. For now, enjoy these photos from the rally.

Posted by Kyle Marshall on April 29, 2008

The Million Step March team is in full stride, nearing the halfway point. Today the team, led by Kathy and Gary, begins a series of Triangle events with a Raleigh rally, but before that begins, we want to recap last week in Winston-Salem.

The million steppers put on an event for employees of BB&T, the Winston-Salem-based bank, to demonstrate how to start - and stay with - a walking routine and healthy living. This video captures the day.

Posted by Kyle Marshall on April 28, 2008