Category: Diabetes 101

Patti LaBelle was born Patricia Louise Holt in 1944. She is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is best known for her songwriting and R&B performances. LaBelle has been the founder of two musical groups, Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles and Labelle. She has had such hit songs as “Take Me for a Little While”, “Lady Marmalade” and “Where Love Begins”. LaBelle is mostly known for her unique singing styles but she has been in various films and talk show appearances. Patti LaBelle, at the age of 64, is still going strong in the music industry.

LaBelle has been struggling with diabetes since 1995. She passed out on stage in 1990. Later a physician spoke with her and asked, “Did you know that you were a diabetic?” Since she has been diagnosed with diabetes, LaBelle has been a spokeswoman for the American Diabetes Association. Her work with this disease did not stop there. She has written two cookbooks for the diabetic community as well as participated in advertisements for the One-Touch Ultra blood sugar tester machines.

Raymond Kroc was born in 1902 from Chicago, Illinois. Kroc never finished high school, he drove an ambulance during World War 1 and he played jazz after the war. However, most individual may remember Kroc as the man that bought the first MacDonald’s restaurant. Kroc being a successful businessman approached the McDonald’s brothers with an offer they could not refuse. The brothers agreed to sell the name and the business to Kroc as long as he kept of the quality that they had worked hard to produce. In 1955, the first McDonald’s chain began in Illinois. Raymond Kroc died in 1984, a few days before his franchise sold its 50th billion hamburger.

Kroc launched the Kroc Foundation in 1969 to assist in research for diabetes, arthritis and multiple sclerosis. The Ronald McDonald house was created for families of children to have a place to stay during hospital visits. Kroc stood for families, community and a helping hand. He felt that the community should be thanked for their support.

Sugar Ray Robinson was born Walker Smith Jr. in 1921, a native of Ailey, Georgia. He was dubbed by many as the greatest boxer of all times. Robinson started his career in 1940. He has preformed in several divisions including Lightweight, Welterweight, Middleweight as well as Light Heavyweight. He has fought some of the greatest boxers in American history such as Henry Armstrong, Tommy Bell and Gene Fullmer. In his career he has won countless matches and awards. Robinson retired in 1965 and was inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame 2 years later. Sugar Ray Robinson died in 1989 from Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. He was 68 years old.

Robinson was diagnosed with diabetes later in his life. He was treated with insulin injections. Complications from diabetes interrupted his life. Robinson’s blood pressure spiked on the night before his mother’s death, and so he was unable to attend her funeral.

Sylvia Chase was born in 1938 and is a native of Northfield, Minnesota. Chase, a diabetic and a journalist was once an unknown radio producer in Los Angeles. She later became a familiar name on 20/20.

Chase won both an Emmy and a Peabody award. She has also won the ATAS Broadcast Journalism Award. Sylvia Chase is 70 years old.

Thomas Edison was one of the most famous inventors in American history. He was born in 1847, a native of Milan, Ohio. Edison was credited with 1300 patented inventions, including the phonograph, the incandescent light bulb and the motion picture camera. Edison was only in school for 3 months. His mother took him out and home schooled him the remainder of his years. Edison believed that mass-production was the best method to make profit for his inventions. By 1887, 121 Edison power stations delivered electricity to homes and businesses. He launched propaganda to the people that AC was dangerous to use and the DC that he produced was the more practical way to go. Thomas Edison died in 1931. He was 84 years old.

Edison was diagnosed with diabetes in his lifetime. He made an effort to control and maintain his disease with a healthy lifestyle. Edison did not drink and he did not eat meat.

Ty Cobb was born Tyrus Raymond Cobb in 1886. He was from Narrows, Georgia. Cobb is an all-star baseball icon. He was dubbed one of the best baseball stars in American history. His nickname was “The Georgia Peach”. Even though Cobb had type 1 diabetes, he played for the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Athletics. He batted .320 or more for 23 consecutive seasons. Cobbs broke several all time records as well. As of 2007, there are still records that have been unbeatable. These include highest career batting average and most career batting titles. His style is still impressive to this day.

Various other baseball players have tried time and time again to beat the unbeatable. In 1939, Cobb was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Ty Cobbs died in 1961 from cancer, complications of diabetes as well as heart disease. He was 75 years old.

Winnie Mandela was born Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela in 1936. She is a popular figure in her native Brizana, South Africa. Even though, it was difficult for a black woman to get an education during the apartheid, she accomplished his goal. Mandela received a degree in social work as well as a bachelor’s degree in international relations. She was forced to live for years on an island; she struggled with diabetes while in that state of isolation. Mandela was only allowed to return to visit her husband in prison. Mandela had problem with the law as well when she was convicted of fraud and theft. Later a judge over turned the theft charge leaving her with a fraud conviction and a 3 years suspended sentence.

Mandela has been the leader of the African National Congress’ Women’s League and is now a member of the African National Congress’ Nation Executive Committee. Winnie Mandela is currently 72 years old.

Andrew Lloyd Webber was born in 1948 from his native home town of London, England. He is a world famous musical composer. Lloyd Webber is most known for his musical genius through stage work. These include “Cats”, “Evita” and “The Phantom of the Opera”. He has obtained several awards for his performances including Academy Award, Tony Awards and a Grammy. The list of achievements is unlimited. Andrew Lloyd Webber is still composing at 60 years old.

When a young teen, Lloyd Webber did not let his friends know that he had diabetes. They in turn shared with him news articles that made mention of diabetes.

Spencer Tracy entered the world in 1900 from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was a brilliant stage and screen actor. In his career, he achieved several awards and nominations. Tracy appeared in over 70 films in his career and won two Academy awards. He was nominated for 9 Academy Awards as well. Tracy is remembered from such films as “Goldie”, “It’s a Small World”, “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”. Spencer Tracy died in 1967 of a heart attack. He was 67 years old.

Tracy has had various health problems through his life including diabetes. Nevertheless, he was always supporting other actors and actresses with their illnesses. Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn stayed at the bedside of the dying Humphrey Bogart.