CONCORD, N.C. (May 31, 2016) – American Diabetes Association® representative and diabetes advocate Tanya Dunning will ‘ride’ along with Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Reed during Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Pocono Raceway. The Quakertown, Pa. resident will have her name featured on a decal above the passenger-side window on the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association Ford Mustang.
Like Reed, Dunning lives with diabetes and knows the importance of staying healthy to manage her diabetes. After she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 11 years ago, she lost enough weight through diet and exercise that she is now able to use those tools alone to manage the disease.
She has a family history of diabetes and is determined to end the cycle in her family.
Dunning raises awareness and funds for the Lehigh Valley American Diabetes Association Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes® event. For the past three years, she has walked in the event as a Champion – a participant who has raised at least a $1,000 to help Stop Diabetes®. This weekend at Pocono, Dunning will have the opportunity to meet Reed and watch the race from atop the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association pit box.
“I’m excited to have Tanya come to the track this weekend and see how we are honoring her fight against diabetes by displaying her name on the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association Ford Mustang,” said Reed. “Her attitude towards ending the cycle of diabetes in her family makes her a great representative of the Drive to Stop Diabetes program and our goal to let people know they can lead a normal life with diabetes.”
Ryan Reed and the ‘Riding with Ryan’ program roll into Pocono Raceway for the first time this weekend. The NASCAR XFINITY Series has never visited Pocono, but Reed has competed at the track twice in the ARCA Racing Series. In 2012, Reed took home two top-10 finishes at the track.
The NASCAR XFINITY Series takes the green flag from Pocono Raceway on Saturday, June 4th at 1 p.m. ET on FOX and MRN. Reed will also compete in the ARCA Racing Series event on Friday, June 3rd at 5:45 p.m. ET on FS1.
About Drive to Stop Diabetes
The Drive to Stop DiabetesSM campaign strives to educate people about living well with diabetes. The campaign encourages the millions of Americans who have diabetes to talk about a management plan with their doctor, family, and friends and to lead healthy lives.
About Lilly Diabetes
Lilly has been a global leader in diabetes care since 1923, when we introduced the world’s first commercial insulin. Today we are building upon this heritage by working to meet the diverse needs of people with diabetes and those who care for them. Through research and collaboration, a broad and growing product portfolio and a continued determination to provide real solutions—from medicines to support programs and more—we strive to make life better for all those affected by diabetes around the world. For more information, visit www.lillydiabetes.com or follow us on Twitter: @LillyDiabetes.
About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes® and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, the Association’s mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both of these sources is available in English and Spanish.
