CONCORD, N.C. – For the final two races of the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series season, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will don gray-accented gloves in support of diabetes awareness.
As a part of the Dale Jr. Foundation's Driven to Give Gloves program, at the end of the month, Earnhardt's gloves will be auctioned off to raise funds for Nationwide Children's Hospital's clinical and research programs.
Additionally, this week, a patient champion from the hospital will be able to hit the track along with Earnhardt. John Roger (J.R.) Curry, 10 years old, will have his name featured above the passenger door of Earnhardt’s No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS this Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway.
J.R. was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 and has received care through Nationwide Children's Hospital.
Living with diabetes has been tough for J.R. with the frequent use of needles. It started out with four shots and at least 10 finger pokes a day – that’s 1,460 shots and 3,650 finger pokes in a year for J.R. But he now uses a pump, which gives him more freedom and means his parents are able to monitor the readings.
Despite the challenges of his condition, J.R. spends his time doing what loves. His favorite activities include soccer, baseball, basketball and driving a race car, much like Earnhardt.
Nationwide Children's Hospital is the country's largest pediatric hospital and research center, with all care provided regardless of a family's ability to pay.