Concord Township, May 12, 2010 - By all accounts, Tom Kingery was the picture of health. He played Division I football for Kent State University in Ohio while studying business marketing. In 1999, he started an orthopedic device manufacturing and distribution company, and he still managed to find time to train for and run one or two marathons a year.

In February of 2004, Kingery was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Rather than let the disease control his life, Kingery took control of his disease. He immediately felt it was important to continue his active lifestyle so he could dispel myths that only unhealthy people get diabetes and that it can limit what a person is capable of achieving.
Kingery is now a member of TEAM TYPE 1, founded in 2004 by two collegiate cyclists living with type 1 diabetes. The team won the non-stop, transcontinental Race Across America in record time in 2009. They completed the 3,021-mile (4,861 km) distance in five days, nine hours, and five minutes, racing from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland.

Kingery heard about TEAM TYPE 1 from the executive director of the Central Ohio Diabetes Association and joined for the amazing opportunity to meet like-minded individuals who face the same challenges and overcome them everyday. When competing, Kingery enjoys cycling the most because of its speed and the sights it provides over a long ride. He is committed to changing negative perceptions of those with diabetes and spreading the mission of TEAM TYPE 1.

Lake Health’s Diabetes Care Center is proud to host Tom Kingery on Tuesday, May 18, at 6:30 p.m., at TriPoint Medical Center in the Private Dining Room located on the Garden Level. Kingery will speak about his experience with type 1 diabetes.  His message is sure to instill hope and inspiration, and will encourage active management and control of diabetes through diet, exercise and the use of the best treatment and technology available today.  To register for this program, call the Best of Health line at 440-953-6000.