08/20/2015

Diabetes Awareness Hits Home for Roush Fenway Racing Team

CONCORD, N.C. (August 19, 2015) – Ryan Reed relies heavily on his No. 16 Lilly Diabetes American Diabetes Association team for support in managing his diabetes while he is on the track. Reed’s diagnosis is not the only reason the Drive to Stop Diabetes program is close to the team members’ hearts. At least five members of Reed’s No. 16 team have a personal connection to the disease as well.

Kristen Gamble, wife of the No. 16 team’s rear tire carrier Ryan Gamble, has been living with type 1 diabetes since the age of two. Kristen recently received her Lilly Diabetes 25-year Journey Award, which recognizes people with type 1 diabetes who have successfully managed diabetes with insulin for 10, 25, 50 or 75 years. When Ryan Gamble was told he would be a member of Reed’s pit crew at the start of the 2015 season, his job took on new meaning.

“Knowing that what I’m doing is helping to spread awareness of the disease that my wife has lived with for so long is really special,” said Gamble. “When you join a NASCAR pit crew, you assume that you will enjoy your profession, but being able to make an impact on so many lives really makes it worthwhile.”

The team’s engine tuner, Tim Jones, and back-up truck driver/equipment support Brian Hansen, must manage their own diagnoses of type 2 diabetes as well as provide support for Reed and his diabetes management. In fact, Jones has been trained to administer an insulin injection to Reed during the race if he should need it.

“Having two members on my team who know the daily struggle of checking your blood sugar and taking insulin is pretty special to me,” said Reed. “My crew is super important in my being able to drive a racecar and I’m really thankful to have people that really understand the disease and can help me out if needed”

Two other team members have a parent and a roommate that live with diabetes, further connecting them to the diabetes community and broadening their understanding of the disease and the Drive to Stop Diabetes program.

Reed and the Drive to Stop Diabetes program roll into Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. Diabetes impacts nearly 30 million Americans with Tennessee ranking fifth nationally in percentage of adults diagnosed. If current trends continue, by the year 2050 it is estimated that as many as one in three American adults will be living with diabetes. Reed and The No. 16 team encourage everyone to know their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by visiting www.d2sd.org/risktest.

Roush Fenway Racing is the winningest team in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series competition with drivers Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Trevor Bayne, Elliott Sadler, Ryan Reed, Chris Buescher and Bubba Wallace. Now in its 28th season, Roush Fenway is a leader in driver development, having launched the careers for many of the top drivers in the sport. Off-track, Roush Fenway is a leader in NASCAR marketing solutions, pioneering motorsport’s first team-focused TV show and producing multiple award-winning digital and experiential marketing campaigns. Roush Fenway is co-owned by Jack Roush, the winningest team owner in NASCAR history and Fenway Sports Group, parent company of Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox and English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C. Visit RoushFenway.com, circle on Google+, become a fan on Facebook and Instagram and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway.

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. For the past 75 years, our mission has been 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 www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

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.