By LISA SIMPSON STRANGE
GLASGOW — Among the approximately 170 entrants for the annual Glasgow Christmas Parade on Saturday night was No. 143 — “Cruisin’ for a Cure” from Bowling Green, a group working to raise awareness and funding for Juvenile Diabetes and “fighting to find a cure.”
“Cruiser the Clown,” better known as J.R. Glass and other float riders were trying to stay warm in the Glasgow High School cafeteria before the parade and were eager to talk about their cause.
Glass said he had only been clowning around for the last month or so as “Cruiser,” but he has been involved with the group that is associated with the Juvenile Diabetes Association of Louisville much longer than that.
Since August, they have raised approximately $43,000 for Juvenile Diabetes in the area, according to Tasha Hatcher, another member of the group. Their goal is to raise at least $100,000 by next September and they are hosting numerous events to get there.
Fundraisers have included everything from chili suppers to cruise-ins with more planned over the next several months, but the biggest project is the restoration of a vintage pickup that will be raffled off at the Corvette Museum on Sept. 25.
“We’re giving away a completely restored 1952 Chevrolet truck,” Glass said.
The truck was donated by Junior Walker and is in the process of being restored. Raffle tickets are $5 each.
Roddy and Lisa Grimes, from Bowling Green, and their two daughters, Emily and Taylor, were riding on the float Saturday night, as well. Both girls have Juvenile or Type 1 Diabetes. Taylor has an insulin pump. Emily takes insulin shots.
“You don’t usually hear about Juvenile Diabetes like you do with cancer and other diseases,” Glass said. “We need to be in the paper. We need all the coverage we can. We need all the money we can get for these kids.”
For more information, go to www.facebook.com/pages/Cruisin-For-a-Cure-Bowling-Green-KY/153975825189.
Information
Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a disorder of the body’s immune system. It occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys certain cells in the pancreas. The cells normally produce insulin, a hormone that helps the body move the glucose contained in food into cells throughout the body, which use it for energy. But when the cells are destroyed, no insulin can be produced, and the glucose stays in the blood instead, where it can cause serious damage to all the organ systems of the body.
People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin in order to stay alive. This means undergoing multiple injections daily, or having insulin delivered through an insulin pump, and testing their blood sugar by pricking their fingers for blood six or more times a day. People with diabetes must also carefully balance their food intake and their exercise to regulate their blood sugar levels, in an attempt to avoid hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) reactions, which can be life-threatening.
The warning signs of Type 1 diabetes include extreme thirst, frequent urination, drowsiness or lethargy, sugar in urine, sudden vision changes, increased appetite, sudden weight loss, fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor on breath, heavy, labored breathing, stupor and unconsciousness.
Type 1 diabetes is generally diagnosed in children, teenagers or young adults. Scientists do not yet know exactly what causes Type 1 diabetes, but they believe that autoimmune, genetic and environmental factors are involved.
