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Celebrity Corner G-L
Ten-time Olympic Medalist, Gary Hall, Jr.
In Athens, at the age of 29, ten-time Olympic medalist (5 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze) Gary Hall Jr. was the oldest American male swimmer to compete in an Olympic Games since Duke Kahanamoku in 1924. He also became the second most decorated Olympian of all-time, tied with Carl Lewis.
In August 2006, Gary successfully defended his gold medal and regained the title as the world's fastest man in the water by winning the 50 meter freestyle for the second time. Hall also joined his father, Gary Hall Sr. as the only father/son duo in Olympic history in any sport to make three Olympics each.
Gary has type 1 diabetes. He checks his blood glucose 10 to 12 times per day and relies on insulin as his life support. Hall hopes to raise the awareness of diabetes throughout the world. At Hall's press conference following his 50 free at the United States Olympic Trials, his endocrinologist, Dr. Anne Peters joined him on the dais and told the assembled media, "I think he's amazing. He's a role model for all people with diabetes, that if you pay attention and work at it, you can actually live your dreams and do anything you want to."
For more information, visit Gary's Web site
Triathlete Jay Hewitt
Jay Hewitt was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the middle of his first year of law school. His attitude was one of intense determination to try to overcome the complications associated with the disease. "The key for me was to do everything in my power to control my diabetes," says Hewitt. Although it took some time to adjust to his new routine of testing, taking insulin and making sure he ate correctly, Hewitt continued to exercise regularly.
Jay finished law school and sometime later ran his first Ironman-length triathlon -- one of the most grueling endurance races there is. An Ironman-length triathlon consists of a 2.4 mile swim, immediately followed by a 112-mile bicycle ride, which is in turn followed by a full 26.2-mile marathon run. "I race Ironman triathlons for the joy of the challenge and to prove that diabetes cannot stop me from achieving my goals," says Hewitt.
Jay has been featured in many ADA publications and made the cover of Diabetes Forecast in December 2003. Jay takes the message about diabetes to schools, support groups, community functions and fund-raising events, and answers thousands of emails from his fans. His dedication to the American Diabetes Association and people with diabetes reaches across his hometown of South Carolina and around the world. Jay's advice for others with diabetes: "Take control of your diabetes and your life," he says. "The Ironman is just a metaphor for life -- it's the same as diabetes. You just can't quit!"
For more information, visit Jay's Web site
Marvin Isley
"If I had listened, maybe these things wouldn't have happened," musician Marvin Isley says of his medical ordeals, including the loss of both legs and a kidney transplant. His mission now: getting the word out about diabetes.
"It's a sneaky disease. It's silent," Isley says. "Diabetes is a very serious disease with a lot of devastating effects. Finally, I'm doing it right -- no sugar, no salt, but I could have done it right years ago."
Isley and his wife, Sheila have taken up diabetes awareness as spokespeople for the American Diabetes Association, including appearing at African American outreach programs and on an educational video.
Gladys Knight
The Elizabeth Knight Fund is named after Gladys Knight's mother, Elizabeth, who passed away December 1997 from complications of type 2 diabetes. After her mother's death, Ms. Knight and her family looked for a way to pay tribute to her memory so that it would have a lasting impact on those living with type 2 diabetes. Parke-Davis, a pharmaceutical company involved in diabetes care, brought her together with the American Diabetes Association to create a memorial fund in her mother's name.
The American Diabetes Association Elizabeth Knight Fund specifically supports peer-reviewed diabetes research to advance the basic science and clinical understanding of the disease. The fund also supports awareness programs in communities across the country, such as the American Diabetes Alert, aimed at finding the millions of Americans with undiagnosed diabetes and the American Diabetes Association's African American Program. Diabetes runs in Gladys Knight's family. Her brother David and cousin Edward Patten, one of the "Pips," also have type 2 diabetes.
Ms. Knight has helped the Association bring forth awareness to the disease during her concerts, media interviews, and she has also worked with the Association on a cookbook, At Home With Gladys Knight.
"My mother lived with diabetes for many years. But for her, and our family, education was the key to her living successfully with this disease. And because she had all the available facts about this disease, she was able to live a long and productive life. By establishing the Elizabeth Knight Fund, her legacy will live on through the people who benefit from increased education and research."
Lala, Latina Chef
Chef Lala, (Laura Diaz) comes from a family of restaurateurs and grew up immersed in the fundamentals of cooking. Many in her family expected her to follow the example of being a restaurateur. They were surprised however to learn of her pursuing a career as a cardiopulmonary therapist. This choice is what would inevitably bring her back to becoming recognized for her efforts to create tasteful but also healthy Latin dishes. Chef Lala is also a volunteer with the American Diabetes Association, often giving demonstrations and seminars to show that healthier food options do not necessarily need to forego the flavors that are the signature of many Latin dishes. Though her initial training as a cardiopulmonary therapist, Chef Lala realized that great need existed for the combination of health and good food in the Latino community, especially since Latinos are at greater risk for developing diabetes. Chef Lala also has a keen interest in the health of Latino children and preventing childhood obesity in an effort to reduce the risk of developing diabetes in the future. Through her efforts, Chef Lala hopes to encourage Latinos to embrace taking preventative measures now, versus after the complications of disease have set in and an irreversible effect takes place.
Greg LeMond
In 1986, Greg LeMond became the first American to win the largest single annual sporting event in the world, the Tour de France. LeMond went on to taste victory again in the 1989 Tour de France, and again one month later in the 1989 World Championships. Then, as a final coup before retiring from competitive cycling, LeMond won another historic Tour de France for the third time in 1990.
LeMond's legend has always been measured by his unrivaled levels of courage and tenacity and now, 20 years after the date of his first Tour de France triumph, he has taken on an equally courageous challenge -- to find a cure for diabetes. Greg LeMond joins the ADA as the Honorary Chairperson for Tour de Cure, and encourages people to dust off their bicycles and join thousands of other riders who are pedaling for a cure.
"I am proud to be the Honorary Chairperson for ADA's Tour de Cure event," says LeMond. "The Tour de Cure is one powerful way for all of us to become champions in the fight against diabetes." Greg will be on hand to present the top Tour de Cure fund raisers with the Champion for Diabetes Award. Top fund raisers will also qualify to win one of several official LeMond Bicycles donated by the champion himself.
For more information, visit Greg's Web site
