Events

The inspiration for the first annual 5K walk came from my experience volunteering at University Hospital, where I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by patients awaiting organ transplants. I wanted to do something meaningful to raise awareness about living donation, and organizing a 5K walk felt like the perfect way to bring people together for a cause that deeply mattered. With support from my school, the City of Shavano Park, and UT Health, the event brought out over 200 participants and featured expert speakers and transplant recipients sharing their stories. The overwhelming turnout and community engagement showed me the power of youth-led action and sparked the beginning of what would become High Schools for Health

The second annual 5K walk was inspired a desire to address a pressing issue in our community: diabetes. Building on the success of the first event, this walk was bigger and better in every way—with student ambassadors from eight different high schools, over 250 participants, expert speakers, and a stronger city-wide presence. This time, we not only raised awareness but also successfully raised funds for the Texas Diabetes Institute at University Health, helping support patients with limited resources. The growth of the event showed me how much more powerful our efforts can be when students unite across schools with a shared mission to make a difference.

Dr. Ralph A. DeFronzo- Chief Professor of Medicine, Diabetes Division Deputy Director, Texas Diabetes Institute (TDI)

Dr. Sonika Gupta- board certified Endocrinologist, Alamo Diabetes & Endocrinology

Endorsed by the Mayor's Fitness Council of San Antonio