Westbury, NY (February 3, 2016) Champion Snowboarder Sean Busby and Marathon Runner Stephen England have made their dreams come true despite living with a difficult disease, and now they’re hoping to inspire children to do the same at the The Kids’ Carnival for a Cure. The event is taking place Sunday, March 6th at Dave & Busters in The Source at the Mall in Westbury, New York – where Busby and England will meet and greet hundreds of kids who, like them, are living with the autoimmune disease, type 1 diabetes. Proceeds from this event will help raise funds for the Diabetes Research Institute’s (DRI) work toward a cure.
Busby, a nationally ranked Slalom and Giant Slalom snowboarder and founder of Riding on Insulin, became the first person with type 1 diabetes to backcountry snowboard all seven continents at the age of 29, and was diagnosed with the disease in 2004.
“To be honest, until I was diagnosed I did not understand the disease. I have found that this disease is willing to be my “best friend” if I choose to continue to take care of myself, “said Busby. “Sure the risks of complications are there, but I believe you can’t sit around and discontinue a normal life. If I stop doing the things that I love, then I have let the disease defeat me. I believe I was given this disease for a reason, and that’s to show others anything’s possible.”
England, a long distance and ultra-marathon runner with team Novo Nordisk, a group of cyclists, triathletes and runners all living with type 1 diabetes, competing in races across the United States and worldwide, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1994 when he was 14 years old.
“Diabetes doesn’t run me. I run diabetes,” said England, who competes in several top marathons, including the Boston Marathon, JFK 50 and the Leadville 100 where he met team Novo Nordisk. “Team Novo Nordisk weren’t just racing other teams…they were showing that you can live with diabetes and still pursue whatever you want in life. For years, I had been doing the opposite, trying not to draw attention to my diabetes and myself. I enjoy being in the spotlight now, talking about diabetes and wearing it with pride.”
Also attending the Kids’ Carnival will be Kelliann Keogh, a nine-year-old football player from Cranford, New Jersey who does not let her diabetes stand in the way of her tackles and touchdowns. Kelliann plays halfback and safety for the Cranford Cougars in the local Police Athletic League. Her football skills are outstanding enough for any football player, and are especially significant since she faces the daily challenges of T1D.
The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF), who hosts this fun-filled event each year, hopes to leave a lasting impression on the children and celebrate those in the diabetes community who have overcome the obstacles this disease has put in their way.
“Athletes with type 1 diabetes inspire, educate and empower those affected with diabetes. We want our kids with type 1 to know there are stories of great success and hope out there and we want to bring it to their attention at the Kids’ Carnival,” said Tony Childs, DRIF Northeast Region Director.
Along with getting to meet inspirational athletes, children in attendance will also enjoy video games, bowling, billiards, prizes, food, goody bags and other fun activities for the whole family.
Co-chairs for the event are Lauren & Steven Field, Frankie Lam, and Susan Rubinstein. Generous sponsors include The Field Family, Super Shot Sponsor, Astoria Bank along with Susan and Mitchell Rubenstein & Family at the Bowling and Billiards level, Mr.& Mrs. Lawrence Mandel at the Power Card level, Frankie Lam and Jacqueline Yu and the Frisoni Family at the Guitar Hero level and Jim and Gail Whelan at the Typhoon Park level.
Those interested in attending Kids’ Carnival for a Cure can purchase tickets at a variety of levels. Adult tickets are $100 each, kids run $50 each, and a family pass (2 adults/2 children) is $275. Register online or view other sponsorships opportunities at www.diabetesresearch.org/ Kids-Carnival-Registration. Children under 2 are free, and all children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, contact the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation at 516-822-1700 or neregion@drif.org.
About the Diabetes Research Institute 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. The DRI is now building upon these promising outcomes by developing the DRI BioHub, a bioengineered “mini organ” that mimics the native pancreas. Various BioHub platforms are being tested in preclinical and clinical studies. For more information, please visit DiabetesResearch.org or call 800-321-3437. You can tweet DRI at @Diabetes_DRI.