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.
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