Pompano Beach, FL (PRWEB) May 18, 2009 — With the Centers for Disease Control (CDC.gov) reporting that nearly 24 million Americans are living with diabetes, the creation of a unified diabetes community that is focused on healthful living is more important than ever. American Diabetes Wholesale, a diabetes supply company keeping diabetes management affordable for all, especially the uninsured, has partnered with Charlie Kimball, a 24-year old Indy Lights race car driver and who has Type I diabetes, to announce the launch GlucoStories & Charlie Kimball Share Your Story Contest. Bringing together individuals living with diabetes and providing them with a platform to share their personal experiences, the contest asks people to explain how diabetes has impacted their lives and enter to win a Grand Prize trip to the “Firestone® Indy Lights” Championship Race at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida Friday, October 9, 2009.

Charlie Kimball Firestone Indy Lights Race Car Driver

“Reaching out and supporting people in the diabetes community is what American Diabetes Wholesale is all about,” said Chris Maguire, Vice President of American Diabetes Wholesale. “GlucoStories is an extension of our commitment and partnering with Charlie Kimball to bring this program to the community was a win-win for everyone involved.”

Diagnosed in 2007, Charlie manages his diabetes, while growing his racing career. Racing since age 9, he has been involved in the most competitive racing categories in the world including British Formula 3, the Formula 3 Euroseries and the World Series by Renault. He made international history with a podium finish in the Formula 3 Euro series in his first race and is currently preparing for the Firestone® Freedom 100 from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway taking place at the end of May. Charlie was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 22 and because he cannot stop during a race to check his blood sugar he has a continuous glucose monitoring system where the receiver, mounted on his steering wheel, displays his glucose levels. Charlie also has a drink pack installed in his cockpit so he can sip orange juice if his blood sugar is low while he is driving.

“Diabetes doesn’t slow me down and is as much a part of my life as racing. Being able to merge the two is an incredible opportunity,” said Charlie Kimball, Professional Indy Lights Race Car Driver. “My hope is that by sharing my story, other people will be comfortable and open about sharing theirs. We’re all working towards the same goal of finding a cure and living a healthy, productive and successful life in the meantime.”

With the support of Home Diagnostics, Defeat Diabetes Foundation, Diabetic Rockstar, American Diabetes Wholesale and other partners, GlucoStories is a platform for people with diabetes or those who support people living with diabetes to inspire and feel inspired about living the best life possible. To learn more about the prizes, rules and to enter the contest, please visit www.glucostories.com and share your experiences with diabetes. Contest and story submissions deadline is July 6, 1007 Midnight, EST.

GlucoStories Contest Rules: no purchase necessary. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.), 13 years and older who did not purchase any equipment for purposes of entering the promotion and are not a practicing physician at time of entry. Void where prohibited. Enter Contest by: 7/6/09. Sweepstakes starts 7/15/09 and ends 8/17/09. For Official Rules, odds disclosure and prize descriptions, visit http://www.glucostories.com. Sponsor: American Diabetes Wholesale, 2501 NW 34th Place, Suite 35, Pompano Beach, FL 33069.

ABOUT CHARLIE KIMBALL

At 24, Charlie Kimball is a successful young American race car driver forging a career in the highly competitive world of open wheel racing. Charlie is currently racing in the Firestone Indy Lights Championship race circuit. Racing since age 9, he has been involved in the most competitive racing categories in the world including British Formula 3, Formula 3 Euroseries and the World Series by Renault. In 2005, Kimball shattered the European stereotype that “Americans are not fast” by becoming the first American in 11 years to win a British Formula 3 race. He went on to secure two track records and several F3 victories in both Britain and Europe. He made international history with a podium finish in the Formula 3 Euro series in his first race after he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2007. For more information visit: www.charliekimball.com.

Watch Charlie Kimball race on Friday, May 22 in the Firestone® Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on VERSUS TV. For more information about the Firestone Indy Lights Championship visit: http://www.indycar.com/indylights

Today in at special ceremony American Diabetes Wholesale paid tribute to Joyce Malaskovitz, PhD, RN, CDE, the winner of their 2nd Annual Diabetes Educator of the Year Contest. We also recognized esteemed Diabetes Educator of the Year Contest finalists Suzanne Laws, MS, RD, LD, CDE and Laura Terrio, RN, BS, CDE.

Created to recognize the unsung heroes of the diabetes epidemic, the Diabetes Educator of the Year Contest received an outpouring of support, and more than 60 people, in both the diabetes and non-medical communities, attended the awards ceremony. NBC 6 South Florida News Anchor and Type I diabetic, Joel Connable, hosted the event. Other attendees included diabetes education professionals, local dignitaries and members of our Destination Diabetes advisor team.

In addition, the event featured prominent speakers such as Donna Rice, immediate past President of the American Association of Diabetes Educators, and Charlie Kimball, a 24 year-old race car driver who made international history with a podium finish in the Formula 3 Euro series in his first race – after he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2007.

Christopher Thomas of Diabetic Rockstar and Andy “Mr. Diabetes” Mandell of the Defeat Diabetes Foundation were also in attendance. We want to recognize the team at IPump.org for their support of this important award as well.

About Our Winner

Joyce Malaskovitz. Joyce believes in following dreams and taking risks. After the sudden death of her grandfather who was a diabetic, Joyce embarked upon her lifelong mission to become a nurse and certified diabetes educator, and to provide the best possible care to all people with diabetes.

For the past 18 years, she has worked as the Director of the Diabetes Treatment Center at Desert Springs Hospital, and in partnership with Healthways, has led the hospital to become the first in the nation to achieve the Certificate of Distinction for Advanced Inpatient Diabetes Care awarded by The Joint Commission. She has spent countless hours supporting diabetes colleagues across the nation to prepare for their certification. She also spends time assisting various community organizations and businesses to make a difference in the fight against diabetes. She is their voice, educator, leader, advocate and friend.

The American Diabetes Wholesale team extends a heartfelt thanks to everyone that made this award so special to all involved. Special thanks go to Home Diagnostics and the Boca Raton Resort & Club for making this year’s contest possible.

This year’s award was even better than last year, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to raise awareness about the importance of diabetes education.

Just scheduled my A1C for next week.  I know it is going to be a little higher then last time, but I know exactly why and it is my own fault, so it can be corrected and I am taking steps today to correct it.  I have no time at all to make it to the gym, however, I am freeing up some time at night because exercise is extremely important.  I went golfing this weekend, which was great exercise, but I am now extremely sore today.

I have planned out my meals for the entire week in order to keep my calories at a certain level.  That is the easy part, now the hard part is actually following through on it.  Eating at work is simple, but more difficult once I get home, I know it’s usually the other way around, but that’s how it is for me.  Salads for lunch, and over eat for dinner, same story.

My blood sugar levels while I was golfing were pretty steady.  It is a great sport to be able to blame a bad shot on a low blood sugar.  Everytime that I sliced a ball, it was only because my blood sugar was low, obviously!

Everyone have a great day!