Three participants in the Fall River Fitness Challenge were interviewed by Health Check Reporter Barbara Morse Silva of NBC Channel Ten on May 8, 2008, in advance of the Challenge Finale on May 10th. City Councilor Leo Pelletier, who lost 12 pounds but gained back 10 during the challenge, talked about how difficult the weight loss process can be. Diabetes Association Program Director Bill Daponte, who is recovering from quadruple by-pass surgery at Charlton Hospital, pointed out that his participation in the Challenge may have saved his life. "Having lost twenty pounds and being in better shape improved my chances of survival," he said. Fall River Fire Department Lt. Dan Gerling, who participated in the Challenge, talked about the importance of police and fire personnel being fit to perform their jobs. More information about the challenge can be found at www.diabetesma.org.

(Top row, left and right) City Councilor Leo Pelletier talks with Barbara Morse Silva at the Community Development Recreation lobby. (Top row, center) Barbara talks with Bill Daponte and CD-REC director Grace Gerling. (Middle row) Barbara talks with Diabetes Association Program Director Bill Daponte about his participation in the Challenge. "It was fortunate that I lost twenty pounds before I had surgery," stated Daponte. "I was in much better shape than if I had not lost twenty pounds." (Bottom row) Lt. Gerling talks with Barbara about the importance of being in shape in his line of work.