For Media

The American Diabetes Association, the nation's largest and leading voluntary health organization in the fight against diabetes, announced that Lawrence T. Smith of Lexington, Kentucky received the Association's prestigious Wendell Mayes, Jr. Medal for Outstanding Service in the Cause of Diabetes at the organization's Community Volunteer Leadership Conference and Annual Meeting on November 23 in Tampa, Florida.

Named for a past Chair of the Board and longtime American Diabetes Association volunteer, the Wendell Mayes, Jr. Medal for Outstanding Service in the Cause of Diabetes honors those who have given extraordinary service in the cause of diabetes.

"The American Diabetes Association is pleased to present this prestigious award to Larry Smith," commented R. Stewart Perry, Chair of the Board, American Diabetes Association. "His contributions to the diabetes community and dedication to diabetes awareness directly support Association's mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people living with diabetes."

Smith is the founder and manager of Smith Market Research, a national marketing research and consulting firm based in Lexington, Kentucky. He became involved with the American Diabetes Association shortly after his daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and has since served in a variety of volunteer leadership roles for the Association at both the national and local levels.

Throughout his two decades of service, Smith has dedicated himself to finding new ways to advance the Association's public position and goals. Smith has assisted in developing research to determine the public's awareness of the American Diabetes Association, which formed the basis for the organization's strategic marketing plan.

Diabetes is a serious disease that affects the body's ability to produce or respond properly to insulin, a hormone that allows blood glucose to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy. Diabetes is growing at an alarming rate with nearly 24 million children and adults living with this disease and another 57 million Americans at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.