Ambassadors Gather for 10,000 Toes Campaign Lifestyle Medicine Summit

Attendees participated in expert-led training sessions, workshops on natural treatments.

October 20, 2024 | Charlotte Wong, Adventist Record

More than 150 ambassadors gathered for the 10,000 Toes Campaign Lifestyle Medicine Summit in Fiji from September 27-29.

The three-day summit focused on health, wellness, and diabetes prevention, combining physical activities, expert-led training sessions, and spiritual reflections to promote holistic well-being. The summit also aimed to engage Adventist pastors in leadership roles as health champions.

Organized by the Trans Pacific Union Mission (TPUM) and the Fiji Mission, the event featured guest speakers such as Eduardo Ramirez, a medical doctor and research scientist from the U.S., alongside 10,000 Toes Campaign coordinator Pamela Townend, South Pacific Division health strategy leader Geraldine Pryzbylko, and 10,000 Toes regional ambassador for Solomon Islands, Chester Kuma. Regional leaders and representatives of the island nations where the campaign is operating also attended.

Attendees participated in practical workshops on natural treatments, including therapeutic juicing, hydrotherapy, poultices, plant-based cooking, and massages. The workshops were facilitated by Bitu Wellness, Mili Mataika, and the Hope Clinic Fiji team. The evening program featured a keynote message from Luisa Cikamatana, Ministry of Health Fiji chief medical advisor. Before the presentations, TPUM president Maveni Kaufononga shared a devotional message on the success of the 10,000 Toes Campaign and the future of health.

Ramirez, who discussed the cause of most complications from diabetes, and Kuma, who spoke about brain plasticity, facilitated health-focused lectures. The sessions emphasized the link between spirituality and health. The event also featured an awards and entertainment night, celebrating the efforts of the campaign’s ambassadors.

The summit concluded with a morning beach workout and a devotional, followed by presentations on potential health threats, mind-body connections, and managing depression in people with diabetes. An “Ambassadors’ Voice” session was also held, where attendees engaged in a group discussion on ways to improve the 10,000 Toes Campaign.

Supported by donations, the 10,000 Toes Campaign continues to expand, with more than 6,000 ambassadors across 13 Pacific Island nations.

About the 10,000 Toes Campaign

South Pacific nations have the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world. As a result of this, the United Nations reports that diabetes and other non-communicable diseases are one of the greatest threats to the region’s development.

The 10,000 Toes Campaign is committed to saving the lives and limbs of those affected. This project seeks to equip every South Pacific village with the necessary skills and tools to conduct community health assessments for the early detection of diabetes and other related chronic diseases.

The 10,000 Toes Campaign also aims to support and train lifestyle coaches to implement programs to prevent, arrest, and reverse Type 2 Diabetes in every village. Finally, it seeks to improve the capacity of health professionals working in health systems across the South Pacific to manage diabetes.

The original version of this story was posted on Adventist Record.