American Diabetes Association Youth Ambassador Cooper Freund to ‘Ride with Ryan’

American Diabetes Association® Youth Ambassador Cooper Freund will ride along with Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Reed during Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Kansas Speedway. The Wichita, Kan. native will have his name featured on a decal above the passenger-side window on the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes American Diabetes Ford Mustang.

Freund was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2010 at just eight months old. At the time, he was thought to be the youngest child diagnosed with diabetes in the state of Kansas. His father says his five-year-old son has since faced his diagnosis with courage, strength and smiles.

Freund serves as an advocate for the American Diabetes Association through his involvement in radio commercials for the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure® cycling event, as Grand Master of the 2012 Step Out®: Walk to Stop Diabetes and through his desire to meet as many people as possible at these events and spread awareness about diabetes.

Even though Freund has not known a life without finger pricks, insulin shots and food measurement, he is just like any other little boy. He enjoys soccer, nerf guns, superheroes, building Legos and is a huge Kansas State fan. He’s looking forward to dressing up as the character, “Doctor Who” for Halloween. 

“The fact that Cooper has lived with diabetes his entire life, but recognizes the need to spread awareness about the disease is really special,” said Reed. “I can only imagine what great things he will accomplish in the diabetes community in the future since he has been such an important part of so many local events already. I’m excited to have him ride along with us this weekend at Kansas and hope to make him proud!” 

Ryan Reed and the ‘Riding with Ryan’ program roll into Kansas Speedway for the first time this season. In 2014, Reed finished 12th at the track. This weekend, Reed will race in Friday night’s ARCA Racing Series event for Lira Motorsports and return to his No. 16 Lilly Diabetes American Diabetes Association Ford Mustang in Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race.

The NASCAR XFINITY Series takes the green flag from Kansas Speedway on Saturday, October 17th at 3 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Network and MRN.

RFR PR

Speedway Digest Staff
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