QUINN RECOGNIZES 10-YEAR-OLD WALK ACROSS ILLINOIS PARTICIPANT AND NUTRITION PATIENT FOR DEDICATION TO HEALTHY LIVING AND EXERCISE

CHICAGO -- Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn today joined with Children's Memorial Hospital and 10-year-old nutrition patient Milan Williams to encourage more Illinois residents - young and old - to get healthier one step at a time with Walk Across Illinois.

 

Williams is a patient at Children's Memorial Hospital's Nutrition Clinic.  Since starting treatment this summer, losing weight has become a family activity.  The family walks together, eats healthy meals together and even lifts weights together.  "I can honestly say I'm getting a six pack," said 10-year-old Williams. 

        

"At a time when many children are still diving into all those Halloween sweets and goodies, now more than ever, we need to drive home the importance of healthy living and healthy eating," Quinn said.

 

Walk Across Illinois is designed to encourage Illinois residents to walk at least 167 miles, the equivalent of walking across Illinois from the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan.  In August of 2001, Quinn hiked 167 miles from the Mississippi River in Rock Island to Lake Michigan in Chicago to promote decent health care for everyone.

 

Williams heard about Walk Across Illinois  -- an initiative launched in August -- and quickly incorporated it into his fitness regimen.  In just four months, Williams lost nine pounds.

 

Children's Memorial Hospital's Nutrition Clinic was established in 1982.  Nearly 1,000 children are treated at the clinic for conditions regarding overeating and not eating enough each year.  Physicians create individual treatment plans for its young patients that typically incorporate family activities like exercise.  Doctors say this approach is key to getting everyone in the family on board with eating and living healthy.  Doctors also add, as the number of young overweight patients increase, so does the severity of their health problems. 

 

"Milan is an inspiration to us all," Quinn said.  "He's living proof that when armed with education and motivation, you can achieve any goal." 

 

So far, 2,973 Walk Across Illinois participants have logged 102,865 miles.  Already, 171 Illinois citizens have completed the 167-mile challenge.

 

The interactive website at www.WalkAcrossIllinois.org allows walkers to track their progress on a virtual walk across Illinois.  Walk Across Illinois participants also receive e-mail updates with health tips, hiking ideas, and great Illinois places to walk.  Starting this November, visitors to the website can click on "Health Hints" to post questions for nutritionist Heather Rigg.

 

For more information about how the program works, visit www.WalkAcrossIllinois.org or call 312-814-5220.