NBA Rookie Adam Morrison Honored for Raising Diabetes Awareness

Adam Morrison, rookie forward for the Charlotte Bobcats, has been awarded the Eugene T. Davidson, MD, Award for Public Service, by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE). The ceremony took place Saturday, March 25th before the Bobcats played against the New Jersey Nets.

The award honors people who have made a difference in the lives of others by raising awareness for diabetes or other endocrine diseases.

Adam Morrison has had type 1 diabetes since his early teens. He frequently must monitor his blood glucose levels during games. By doing the things he needs to do to manage his diabetes, he shows kids with type 1 that they can also follow their dreams. Type 1 diabetes does not have to hold them back.

Over 175,000 children and young adults under 20 years of age have type 1 diabetes in the U.S. today. That's estimated to be 1 in every 400-600 kids.

Dr. Carlos R. Hamilton, AACE past president and President Elect of the American College of Endocrinology, presented the award to Morrison. Previous honorees include Mary Tyler Moore, Newt Gingrich, Ron Santo, famed third baseman for the Chicago Cubs, and Olympic Gold Medalist Gail Devers.

Sources:

"National Diabetes Statistics." National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC). Nov 2005. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). 26 Mar 2007.

"Prospect Profile." NBA. 2007. NBA. 26 Mar 2007.