NASCAR Driver Ryan Reed Makes a Pit Stop at Diabetes Research Institute on Give Miami Day

MIAMI, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASCAR champion driver Ryan Reed will be giving back in a big way this Give Miami Day and Diabetes Awareness Month – with a special visit to the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) right before his next big race. Reed is hosting a special meet & greet, followed by a support group session for families affected by the disease, on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 4 pm.

The 24-year-old NASCAR Xfinity series star, who was told he would never race again after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes seven years ago and has gone on to win multiple races, will share his inspirational story with children and adults who are also living with the disease. He will discuss how he manages his blood sugars while racing at incredibly high speeds, then take questions and pictures with those in attendance.

Immediately following the meet & greet, there will be a free family support group session, Driving Diabetes through the Holiday Maze, focused on learning what to watch for during the holidays while managing diabetes. It will be facilitated by the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF) and feature Board Certified Health Coach Trisha Artman, and DRIF Florida Region Board Member Arianna Lamosa, a Miami mom who has a young daughter with type 1 diabetes.

This is the second year Reed, in a partnership with sponsor and Official Diabetes Health Partner of NASCAR Lilly Diabetes, has visited the Diabetes Research Institute to help spread awareness about the importance of properly managing diabetes. His next race will be at the Miami Homestead Motor Speedway on Saturday, November 18, 2017.

If you are affected by diabetes and want to meet Ryan Reed, please join the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation and Lilly Diabetes at the Diabetes Research Institute's 1^st floor Education Center, 1450 NW 10^th Ave, Miami, FL 33136 on Thursday, November 16, 2017. The meet & greet will run from 4 pm – 5 pm and be followed by a family support group from 5 pm – 6 pm. To register, please visit: DiabetesResearch.org/RyanReed. Registration is required and space is limited.

ABOUT DIABETES RESEARCH INSTITUTE AND FOUNDATION
The mission of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation is to provide the Diabetes Research Institute with the funding necessary to cure diabetes now. The Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine leads the world in cure-focused research. As the largest and most comprehensive research center dedicated to curing diabetes, the DRI is aggressively working to develop a biological cure by restoring natural insulin production and normalizing blood sugar levels without imposing other risks. Researchers have already shown that transplanted islet cells allow patients to live without the need for insulin therapy. Some study participants have maintained insulin independence for more than 10 years. The DRI is now building upon these promising outcomes by developing a DRI BioHub, a bioengineered "mini organ" that mimics the native pancreas. While various BioHub platforms are being tested in preclinical and clinical studies, the DRI is also developing strategies to eliminate the need for anti-rejection drugs and reset the immune system to block autoimmunity. For more information, please visit DiabetesResearch.org, call 800-321-3437, or Tweet @Diabetes_DRI.

ABOUT the LILLY DIABETES RACING PROGRAM:
As the Official Diabetes Health Partner of NASCAR, Lilly encourages people with diabetes to stay determined and take action to better manage their diabetes by talking to their doctor and making lifestyle changes. For the fourth year in a row, Lilly Diabetes and NASCAR driver Ryan Reed have partnered to spread awareness about the importance of managing diabetes. As part of this, Reed connects with fans while traveling for races and encouraging those with diabetes to take control of their disease by sharing the message that small wins like talking to your doctor, making lifestyle changes like exercising and eating healthy can add up to bigger victories in diabetes management.

SOURCE Diabetes Research Institute Foundation

Related Links

http://www.diabetesresearch.org