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

After weeks of the votes coming in for whom should be recognized as American Diabetes Wholesale’s Diabetes Educator of the Year 2008, the three finalists have been announced:

• Suzanne Laws
• Joyce Malaskovitz
• Laurie Terrio

American Diabetes Wholesale would like to thank everyone out there who took the time to nominate a diabetes educator and vote for the final contestants, including the finalist runner-ups, Linda Aman and Janet Crockrel. It is crucial to recognize the efforts of diabetes educators all over the country, and our goal is to raise awareness of the contributions that these health professionals make as well as the positive impact they have upon the lives of their patients.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner at a special ceremony on May 1, 2009 in Boca Raton, Florida.

American Diabetes Wholesale is proud to announce the five finalists for Diabetes Educator of the Year for 2008! Our judges received hundreds of inspirational nominations from all over the country, and although it was challenging coming up with the five final nominees, here is the list:

• Linda C. Aman
  RN, BS, MSN, NP-C
  Joslin Diabetes Center, Affiliate at Providence Hospital, South, MI.
• Janet W. Brown Crockrel
  LPN, RN, CDE
  Ironton City Schools, OH
• Joyce Malaskovitz
  PhD, RN, CDE
  Diabetes Treatment Center at Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada
• Suzanne Swann Laws
  MS, RD, LD, CNS, FADA, BC-ADM, CDE
  Consulting Nutritionist & Diabetes Educator
• Laurie Terrio
  RN, BS, CDE
  St. Joseph Hospital, Nashua, NH

Now it’s your turn to determine which of these dedicated individuals should be named the Diabetes Educator of the Year for 2008! The lucky winner will get a flight for two down to sunny South Florida for a 3 day/2 night stay at the luxurious Boca Raton Resort & Club! The winner will also be honored at a special ceremony, taking place on Friday, May 1st, 2009 coordinated by American Diabetes Wholesale and contest sponsors/supporters, including Home Diagnostics, iPump.org and the Defeat Diabetes Foundation.

We need your vote, and it’s easy! Just visit the Diabetes Educator of the Year 2008 Contest page, click on a nominee’s photo to read their biography in their own words and select the finalist in the poll to the right! Information about our esteemed panel judges Donna Rice, Chris Stocker and our local American Diabetes Association Team can be found there along with the rules, guidelines and details about last year’s contest.

If you have any questions about the Diabetes Educator of the Year Contest, please contact us – and thanks for your time and support!

Do you have a diabetes educator that has made a great impact in your life? Diabetes Educators are the people that we turn to whenever a question arises that may not have a clear answer. This week’s newsletter is aimed at giving thanks to all of the educators that have inspired their patients to better control diabetes and live a healthy life.

Nominate your educator and they may have a chance to win a trip to sunny South Florida! They will have a 3 day / 2 night stay in the luxurious Boca Resort. Nominate your educator today!

This week’s product spotlight focuses on our top diabetes books. Want to learn more about diabetes? If so Diabetes for Dummies is the perfect book for you. This is a great book for people that have been recently diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes Self Management Magazine a wonderful source for the most up-to-date news on diabetes. This magazine is sent bi-monthly to subscribers. Read about all of our popular diabetes books.

This week’s recipe will be sure to cause your mouth to water in anticipation! Learn how to make Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins, a treat that the whole family will enjoy. This recipe has 238 calories and 30 grams of carbs per serving. Learn how to make this week’s recipe!

Read the entire newsletter…