Sept. 28, 2011

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By Miquel Jacobs
Assistant Media Relations Director

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina joined a national movement with the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation’s “Be a Game Changer” campaign to help raise awareness about the fight against type 2 diabetes and obesity faced by Native American youth across the country.

The NB3 Foundation provides health & wellness programming for Native American youth to address nutrition and healthy choices, as well as soccer and golf programs and clinics to encourage exercise and regular physical activity for native children. The NB3 Soccer Program implements youth soccer programs on Native American reservations in order to combat the epidemic of type 2 diabetes and childhood obesity, and to provide a platform for youth leadership development through sport participation.

By participating in the NB3 “Be a Game Changer” traveling banner project, South Carolina has played a critical role in promoting the efforts of the NB3 Foundation and expanding soccer to a larger part of the Native American community.

“We are extremely grateful to the South Carolina and coach Shelley Smith for participating in our project to raise awareness for our foundation and the youth we serve. This will have a direct impact on our ability to expand our reach and bring soccer to the youth of Indian Country. You are all truly Game Changers to us!” – Stephanie Gabbert, Director of Soccer, Notah Begay III Foundation

“It’s a great way for us to be involved in supporting a foundation that does great things for people in need of support. We’re more than happy to be a part of the project and to help in any way we can. Hopefully the exposure and the awareness will help the cause.” – Shelley Smith, South Carolina Head Women’s Soccer Coach

For more information check out the NB3 Foundation website at: www.nb3foundation.org

On the NB3 website you can also participate in the NB3 Foundation’s “Give a Kid a Ball” project in an effort to provide soccer balls to Native American children – go ahead, Be a Game Changer!

Native American youth health statistics:
44% of Native American 5 year olds are overweight, & 24% are obese, twice the national average.

61% of Pueblo children are overweight or obese.

Native children as young as 4 have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The average life expectancy of someone diagnosed with diabetes is 20 years after diagnosis.

1 out of 2 Native American children born after 2002 will get type 2 diabetes.