Diabetes Awareness Advocate Stewart Perry to ‘Ride’ with Ryan Reed in Kentucky
07/05/2016

Diabetes Awareness Advocate Stewart Perry to ‘Ride’ with Ryan Reed in Kentucky

CONCORD, N.C. (July 5, 2016) – American Diabetes Association® representative and diabetes advocate Stewart Perry will ‘ride’ along with Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Reed during Friday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Kentucky Speedway. The Lexington, Ky., resident will have his name featured on a decal above the passenger-side window on the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association Ford Mustang.

Like Reed, Perry lives with diabetes and knows the importance of staying healthy to manage his diabetes. He was diagnosed 26 years ago and manages his diabetes through adhering to medication, sticking to his diet and getting plenty of physical activity.

Perry raises funds and awareness for the Association by walking in the Lexington-area Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes® as an elite champion, a top fundraiser who lives with diabetes. He also serves on the Association’s Bluegrass Community Leadership Board and is a former chair of the national Board of Directors.

“Stewart is such a great role model for everyone living with diabetes to see how long-term diabetes management is key to living well,” said Reed. “On top of that, his involvement with the American Diabetes Association makes him a great representative of our Drive to Stop Diabetes program. Hopefully we can reward him with a great finish this weekend at Kentucky.”

Ryan Reed and the ‘Riding with Ryan’ program roll into Kentucky Speedway for the first time this season. In this race last year, Reed finished 14th after starting 12th.

The NASCAR XFINITY Series takes the green flag from Kentucky Speedway on Friday, July 8th at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network and PRN.

About Drive to Stop Diabetes

The Drive to Stop DiabetesSM campaign strives to educate people about living well with diabetes. The campaign encourages the millions of Americans who have diabetes to talk about a management plan with their doctor, family, and friends and to lead healthy lives.

About Lilly Diabetes

Lilly has been a global leader in diabetes care since 1923, when we introduced the world’s first commercial insulin. Today we are building upon this heritage by working to meet the diverse needs of people with diabetes and those who care for them. Through research and collaboration, a broad and growing product portfolio and a continued determination to provide real solutions—from medicines to support programs and more—we strive to make life better for all those affected by diabetes around the world. For more information, visit www.lillydiabetes.com or follow us on Twitter: @LillyDiabetes.

About the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes® and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, the Association’s mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both of these sources is available in English and Spanish.