Tampa, Fla. – The Walk from Obesity – Walk on the Capitol would like to thank all those who supported the event on June 17, 2008. Thousands of individuals gathered on the National Mall in Washington, DC, to raise awareness of the disease of obesity. Attendees traveled from across the globe to join in the Walk on the Capitol. In addition, Caitlin VanZandt, television star of Guiding Light and The Sopranos, was featured as the guest speaker for the event. Caitlin discussed her own battle with obesity.

“We thank all of those who supported and partnered on the Walk on the Capitol. Your support was truly appreciated. I would also like to take a moment and personally thank the volunteers and staff for putting this event together. In addition, I would like to acknowledge and thank the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Foundation Board of Directors for financing this extraordinary and historic event. Without the Foundation’s financial support, this event would not have been possible,” said Joseph Nadglowski, Jr., Obesity Action Coalition President and CEO, and ASMBS Foundation Executive Director.

The Walk on the Capitol was supported by fellow nonprofit organizations who signed-on as official Partners of the event. These organizations made a commitment and helped spread the powerful message of the Walk. The Walk on the Capitol Partners included: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners; American Osteopathic Association; American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery; American Society of Bariatric Physicians; American Society of Plastic Surgeons; Campaign to End Obesity; Directors of Health Promotion and Education; East Coast Greenway Alliance; International Chiropractic Pediatric Association; Louie’s Kids; Maryland Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; Medical Society of the District of Columbia; National Association of Bariatric Nurses; National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity; Shaping America’s Health; Texas Public Health Association; The Obesity Society; and TOPS Club, Inc. (Take off Pounds Sensibly).

Several companies/organizations also supported the Walk on the Capitol by making a financial contribution. The support of these Sponsors made the Walk possible. Sponsors included: Platinum Level: Allergan, Covidien, and Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc.; Silver Level: Synovis Surgical Innovations; Bronze Level: Bariatric Advantage, Body Media, Care Credit, EnteroMedics, W.L. Gore & Associates, Karl Storz Endoscopy America, and OnQ Painbuster. 

The Walk on the Capitol also received media support from various companies, organizations and publications which helped spread the message of the Walk and its purpose. Media Sponsors included: Bariatric Support Centers International; Bariatric Times; BariMD; Beyond Change; Chef David Fouts; “The New You” Radio Show with Cher and Jeff – The WLS Coaches; Healthwise Technologies; LivLite; Make it a Lifestyle; Obesity Care News; Obesity Surgery Journal; Mervyn Deitel, MD; SOARD; Today’s Dietitian; Barbara Thompson, WLS Center; and WLS Lifestyles.

The “Walk on the Capitol” is a National awareness event designed to draw attention to the need for expanded efforts in both prevention and treatment. The Walk is hosted by the OAC and ASMBS Foundation and supported by various partnering nonprofit organizations. For more information on the hosts and the partnering organizations, please visit www.walkonthecapitol.com.