ONE AT A TIME: A Step into the Life of Maxine Phillips- Type 2 Diabetic

[Maxine P. Phillips]

When I awake in the morning, sometimes I still reach for him. In the silence, in the still of the morning, I call his name. A tear trickles down my cheek and I realize, my precious husband of 35 years is no longer there beside me . . .taken by the silent killer, Diabetes, nearly three years ago. My name is Maxine Phillips. I am a widow; a mother; a woman; a career coach, a business owner, a Type 2 diabetic, and now an ambassador for the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Born out of this experience, I have become a spokesperson for this cause.

I travel to churches and throughout the community educating all on the mission of ADA, on the dangers of undetected blood glucose levels and on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. I encourage and promote family and friends to work together to stop this disease just as I have done with my own family and friends.

In addition to being an ambassador for the ADA, My passion to educate is also fueled through GAMMS Unlimited—a career coaching company that empowers youth and adults to leverage their natural abilities to make education and life decisions for a competitive advantage.

As Founder and CEO of GAMMS Unlimited, I carry our (my husband and I always supported each others’ dreams) legacy forward propelling youth and adults to know who they are by capitalizing on their natural abilities so they can live on purpose and reach their destiny. GAMMS Unlimited is again the premier sponsor of TEAM GREG PHILLIPS.

In 2010, in celebration and honor of Greg’s 60th birthday, TEAM GREG PHILLIPS—family and friends of the late Greg Phillips, my husband—banded together to walk to stop diabetes with myself as Team Captain. This year, October 20, 2012, we are walking with a goal of raising $10,000 and having 75 walkers as we stroll in the beautiful area of North Hills in Raleigh, NC. I am asking you to make a donation of $15 or more and to walk with me. This can be done two ways: for those of you who are local, come out and walk with us and make a donation. For those of you who are out of the area, become a virtual walker and make an on-line donation. To pledge your online support, login to http://main.diabetes.org/goto/teamgregphillips or make your donation check(s) payable to the American Diabetes Association and send to:

GAMMS Unlimited, LLC

c/o Maxine Phillips

8801 Fast Park Drive, Suite 301

Raleigh, NC 27617

Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 2008 and now living with the disease myself, I am empowered and even more passionate. I research and gain insights on what to eat and exercise that works for me to keep the diabetes in check. I have diabetes but it diabetes does NOT have me. I am a voice amidst the silence. I continuously seek avenues to share this life changing information in the hopes that this awareness will help make others SELF-AWARE. By incorporating these life style changes, I am able to live a productive life.

The mission of the American Diabetes Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. This is accomplished through:

• Funding research
• Delivering services to hundreds of communities
• Providing objective and credible information
• Giving voice to those denied their right because of diabetes.

GAMMS Unlimited mission is to transform how people live, work, and build careers one generation at a time, one person at a time, one student at a time. Through your donations, together we can stop diabetes one step at a time.

Thank You

Maxine Phillips

Date: October 20, 2012
Location: North Hills area in Raleigh, NC (440 & Six Forks North); (less than 5K, approx. 2.7-2.8 miles); Walk starts in large parking lot next to Bruegger's, adjacent to Harris Teeter
Time: Check-in: 8:00 am; Walk Start Time: 9:00 am (Rain or Shine) Look for Team Greg Phillips Banner.
Team Picture: 8:30am

[Pat Howlett]

Rarely can an article outline a problem, make a connection, share a passion and call one to take action - this one did exactly that to me.

In-laws are in town till Saturday morning - if I can I'd love to walk with Team Greg Phillips. I'll get a donation together regardless. Thanks for this share.