ADA's Celebrity Corner

LOVIE SMITH

Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith has strong ties to diabetes and an even stronger passion for making a difference in the world of everyone affected by the disease. Smith's mother lost her eyesight in 1990 due to diabetes-related complications. His brother, grandmother and father-in-law also have diabetes.

Both he and his wife MaryAnne are enormously involved with the American Diabetes Association in and around the Chicago area. The Smiths have hosted "Care to Cure: A Sunday Brunch" to raise awareness of diabetes and raise funds for camp and other diabetes programs.

Both he and his wife MaryAnne are enormously involved with the American Diabetes Association in and around the Chicago area. The Smiths have hosted "Care to Cure: A Sunday Brunch" to raise awareness of diabetes and raise funds for camp and other diabetes programs.

They also form an annual Tour de Cure Bears Team with nearly 15 riders raising more than $3000, and annually donate 10 front row Bears season tickets to ADA diabetes camp families.

For more information, visit Lovie's Chicago Bears' Web site

JERRY STACKHOUSE

Jerry Stackhouse is all too familiar with the harshness of diabetes. He lost two sisters to diabetes complications and both parents have diabetes. He has made it his mission to educate people about the seriousness of diabetes, especially among the African American community.

In support of diabetes awareness, Jerry Stackhouse addressed the Congressional Diabetes Caucus on Capitol Hill at a session to introduce legislation aimed at improving care, education, prevention, and treatment of diabetes within minority communities.

The charitable superstar's commitment to fighting diabetes has led to the development of his Triple Threat Foundation, which focuses on funding, research and education about diabetes among minorities.

For more information, visit Jerry's Web site

MICHAEL WARD, GUITARIST, CYCLIST AND AUTHOR

Life on the road seldom lends itself to healthy lifestyle choices. Meals are often eaten on the run and exercise is often put on the back burner. Michael Ward learned these realities first hand. A former guitarist with the band The Wallflowers, and currently playing with Ben Harper, Michael describes himself as once being a “boozy, overweight guy.” Through a band-mate, Ward rediscovered his love of cycling. In addition to being a touring musician, Michael also participated in competitive cycling and had the opportunity to meet and befriend Lance Armstrong, which resulted in the two training for nearly six hours a day together. Despite adopting this healthy lifestyle however, Michael was diagnosed with diabetes in 2004. But through this, and his love of cycling, Michael was inspired to take on a new challenge: motivating kids to become active by riding their bikes. Ward has authored a book titled “Mike and the Bike;” a story about the fun had between a boy, Mike, and his bike. The book also includes music composed by Ward, and sang by his son, Tennessee. The book aims to emphasize the importance of healthy lifestyle choices in young children in a fun manner. Ward explains, that “as a parent, number one, I’m really concerned with children’s health and fitness and I thought the book would be a good way to turn kids on to exercise.” Ward has taken his love of cycling and his living with diabetes to a new level by teaching children the value, and importance of exercise at an early age.

THE TENNESSEE THREE: THE MEN BEHIND THE MAN IN BLACK

From his early stardom until his last years as a performer, Johnny Cash chose only to work with one band, "The Tennessee Three." He depended upon them to provide him with the unique sound that would come to be recognized by millions of fans the world over as "The Johnny Cash sound." Currently The Tennessee Three tours the world, providing fans with an opportunity to hear the music that is just as refreshing today as it was half a century ago.

Bob Wootton (Lead Guitar Player and Vocalist) 

"In October 1997, my world changed. It was the year I watched a legendary performer and human being reach down to retrieve a guitar pick during a concert, and I had to reach out to catch him to prevent him from falling. That was the last official performance for the Johnny Cash show. Within six years he was gone from complications of diabetes."

"My father died from diabetes and my mother-in-law manages hers with diet and medication. My nephew has to take shots in his stomach. Diabetes is the disease you never really think about and then, one day, your whole life is put in a tail spin because you didn't notice the warning signs."

"I now make sure that I, my wife, and my children are always checked for this disease. While it cannot be cured yet, it can be managed and it is possible to live a happy, normal life."

WS “Fluke” Holland (Drummer) 

"In 1994, my wife Joyce was involved in a major car accident. I tell everyone the wreck that nearly killed her is actually what saved her life because it was only then that we found out she had diabetes. Her doctor had her take diabetes educational classes at our local hospital, and after learning how it affects you, we both realized she had had diabetes for a few years."

"Her doctor put her on medication and she tries to eat properly and use the treadmill; but the most important thing she does is check her blood glucose (sugar) two to four times daily. I think doing this is the most important thing you can do."

"Diabetes does not discriminate between rich, poor, famous, or unknown. Anyone can develop it. Johnny Cash, whom I worked with for years, and Waylon Jennings, one of my good friends, both died from complications from diabetes."

For more information, visit The Tennessee Three's Web site