New York, NY November 13, 2018 — In honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month this November, racecar driver and New York City native Lance Bergstein will run a special paint scheme to bring attention to type 1 diabetes (T1D) at the 2018 Circuit of the Americas 24H Series Race in Austin, TX.

Taking place November 14-16, the 24-hr competition will test the endurance of Bergstein who was diagnosed with T1D at an early age. In addition to raising awareness, Bergstein, 28, will use the race to raise funds for JDRF, the leading global organization funding T1D research.

To prepare for the demands of the upcoming race, Bergstein worked with his endocrinologist to find unique ways to prepare for and monitor his blood glucose levels while competing on the track. They came up with a unique solution by mounting his Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) in his car to keep track of his glucose levels throughout the race.

“I think it’s important that if someone has a passion, they shouldn’t let T1D interfere with doing things they want to do,” said Bergstein. “The Circuit of the Americas is ultimate test physical and mental test for a driver. By participating in the race, I’m setting out to prove that with a little ingenuity and determination, nothing can hold back people with T1D.”

T1D is a chronic, life-threatening autoimmune disease that can strike children and adults at any age. It requires rigorous 24/7 monitoring of blood glucose levels—even overnight—to avoid potentially lethal highs and lows in blood sugar, as well as other devastating complications like kidney, eye and nerve diseases. While T1D’s causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. Its onset is sudden and is not related to diet or lifestyle. In T1D, the body’s immune system destroys cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, meaning the body produces little to no insulin to regulate blood sugar and get energy from food. There is nothing you can do to prevent T1D, and—at present—nothing you can do to get rid of it.

To learn more about T1D and JDRF’s commitment to a cure, please visit www.jdrf.org.

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About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout the United States and our six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter: @JDRF

Media Contact:

Ayana Young
media@jdrf.org
212-859-7895