FORT WORTH, Texas (April 6, 2015) – special guest riding along with him during Friday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. American Diabetes Association Youth Ambassador Will Golden’s name is featured on a decal above the passenger-side door on the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes American Diabetes Association Ford Mustang.
Will, from Keller, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on February 15, 2011 at age eight. However, just like Reed, 12-year-old Will has not let diabetes slow him down. He is a sports fanatic who especially loves playing basketball and soccer.
Will’s efforts to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes earned him the title of Kiwanis Junior Hero while living in Quincy, Mass. As one of four students diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at his former elementary school, Will participated in a walk to cure diabetes that has raised over $100,000. He also helped with the creation of a community service video that educates people on the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes.
Will lives by the motto, “Never give up, never give in.”
The ‘Riding with Ryan’ program kicks off this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway and will continue throughout the 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series season.
“I’m honored to have Will riding along on the car this weekend as the first American Diabetes Association Youth Ambassador of the season,” said Reed. “Will’s strong tie to his local community and efforts to raise awareness of the disease are inspiring to those of us that live with type 1 diabetes. Being able to recognize individuals like Will for their work in the diabetes community is one of my favorite parts of partnering with the American Diabetes Association and Lilly Diabetes on the Drive to Stop DiabetesSM program.”
Reed and the rest of the NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers take the green flag from Texas Motor Speedway on Friday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. CDT on FS1 and PRN.
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Photo Credit: Doug Pensinger/Getty Image
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