News

Charlie Kimball, the first licensed driver with diabetes to win a race in the Verizon IndyCar Series, will speak about his experiences September 19 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. 

Kimball will be on Parking Lot A at SIUE for The Metro East Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. The walk begins at 10 a.m. and the event ends at noon. 

Kimball, who began racing go-karts at age nine, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2007 and was forced to abandon his racing program in mid-season. After his surprising diagnosis, Kimball returned to the cockpit in 2008.

Today, Kimball continues to compete in one of the most competitive racing categories in the world, proving that living with diabetes does not have to restrict him from traveling at speeds of more than 200 miles per hour and fulfilling his dream.

Kimball drives the No. 83 car for Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing in the Verizon IndyCar Series and is the first licensed driver with diabetes in the history of IndyCar. He finished third in Indianapolis 500.

Online registration to walk or make a donation is available at StepOutMetroEast.

For more information, call Rawnie Berry at 888-342-2383 or rberry@diabetes.org.

The Metro East Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes Presenting Sponsor is Simmons, Hanly, Conroy a National Law Firm. Platinum sponsors are R.P. Lumber, Advantage News and SIUE Foundation. Gold sponsors are Alton Memorial Hospital, Pohlman USA, Balke Brown Transwestern, Lockton Companies, Goshen Coffee Company and Ameren Illinois. The Exclusive Radio sponsor is 106.5 The Arch.

Photo:  Charlie Kimball, IndyCar driver, is pictured on the left.