Believe it or not, more people are afraid of being bitten by a shark than developing diabetes. That's the result of a recent study compiled by American Diabetes Association (ADA) and it's indicative of the laissez-faire attitude many take to what can be a deadly disease.

"One thing we know about diabetes is that most people don't know about diabetes," said Robert M. Smith, ADA executive director for Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.

On May 7, Smith was on-hand to cheer on kids during a very special ADA School Walk for Diabetes at Jerome Harrison Elementary School. Smith also wanted to help educate the kindergarten- through 3rd-graders about types of diabetes and prevention.

"There are three types of diabetes," Smith explained. "Type I is insulin-dependant diabetes, where the body can't produce insulin. Type II is the type 90 percent of people contract, which can be regulated with diet, exercise, and medication. Type III is gestational diabetes, which is contracted during pregnancy. The big issue is Type II diabetes, especially now with obesity so prevalent in children. Obesity leads to Type II diabetes."

While ADA School Walks take place around the nation, Smith visited Harrison's walk because the school was selected, at random, as one of 10 national winners of the Boar's Head Brand contest in support of the ADA School Walk for Diabetes. As part of its prize, Boar's Head brought award-winning children's author Tina Powell to Harrison for a special visit on walk day, May 7.

Boar's Head Brand is a proud supporter of ADA, said Mike Piagentini, a Connecticut Boar's Head distributor. Piagentini also attended the May 7 event and provided a healthy lunch for all students and staff at the event.

"This is a great way of letting kids now about good, healthy habits," said Piagentini.

But the biggest star of the day had to be Powell, who arrived decked out in various pieces of sports clothing (right down to her tube socks). To warm kids up for their laps around the school building, Powell read from her new book Fernando's Fun-Tastic Friends. The book drives home messages of healthy eating and exercise in a day and age when computer games and fast food have become childhood staples.

The plan to hold an ADA School Walk for Diabetes at Harrison was initiated and organized by the parents of Harrison 1st-grader Jessica Armin. The bright and bubbly seven year-old was diagnosed with Type I diabetes two years ago.

Jessica's dad Dan Armin said having her school selected for the national prize made the inaugural event that much more special. Armin and his wife Maryjo were both there to witness the culmination of the school community's dedication to the effort.

"We absolutely plan to do the walk again next year. Everybody has been so supportive. This is the example of when everybody gets together for a good cause-the result is this," said Dan Armin.