CONCORD, N.C. (July 8, 2015) – American Diabetes Association® Youth Ambassador Rachel Hopkins will ride along with Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Reed during Friday night’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Kentucky Speedway. The Salem, Ind. native will have her name featured on a decal above the passenger-side door on the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes American Diabetes Association Ford Mustang.
Hopkins was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1997 at the age of 14 months. Now 18, she is preparing for her freshman year of college at Anderson University where she plans to study nursing and work as a diabetes educator.
Rachel was a varsity athlete on the soccer, cross country and track teams in high school and was a member of the National Honor Society. Hopkins served as an intern for two summers for the American Diabetes Association in Louisville, Ky.
As a Youth Ambassador, she has spoken on behalf of the American Diabetes Association at their local corporate luncheon and participated in Step Out®: Walk to Stop Diabetes®, Tour de Cure® and the American Diabetes Association Camps.
“It’s amazing to see what Rachel has accomplished while living with diabetes for pretty much her entire life,” said Reed. “The fact that she has developed a platform to spread awareness and help others and wants to continue to do that as a career is truly inspiring. Knowing that she is doing such great things in the diabetes community motivates me even more to record a great finish for her and the Drive to Stop Diabetes program this weekend.”
Ryan Reed and the ‘Riding with Ryan’ program roll into Kentucky Speedway this weekend for a 200-lap event on 1.5-mile tri-oval. Reed finished 11th in his last appearance at the track in September 2014.
The NASCAR XFINITY Series takes the green flag from Sparta, Ky. on Friday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network and PRN.
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. For the past 75 years, our mission has been 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 www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.
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.
