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Hundreds of people affected by diabetes were inspired by the words of mountaineer,
motivational speaker and educator Will Cross, who said "Take care of your diabetes
before it takes care of you," during his keynote address at the Diabetes Association
of Atlanta's (DAA) 14th annual Diabetes University November 10.
Held at the Loudermilk Conference Center, Cross who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
at the age of nine, shared his poignant story with seminar attendees of his attempt to
summit Mount Everest three times. "We have eaten what we wanted to, cheated, made up
fantastic numbers for our blood levels," said Cross. "At some point, we have realized
this is the quickest way to the hospital."
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Mountaineer Will Cross, describes the journey to the summit of Mount
Everest to hundreds of
Diabetes University attendees held November 10 at
the Loudermilk Conference Center.
Photo Credit: Kimberly Willis Green
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The former educator went on to describe the climate and how he managed during his
second attempt climbing Mount Everest. "Camp one is 20,000 feet. You feel like you
have a bad cold coming on. I have my insulin pump on, Novolog flex pens next to my
skin," said Cross. "I spent the night then went on to Camp two. At 22,000 feet,
you feel like you have a really bad cold - you would not to go work." Cross, who is
married with six kids, said he took his wedding ring off and left it with his wife
Amy as base camp, as his commitment to return. Cross said, after his second failed
attempt, Novo Nordisk, the company who sponsored his quest to Mount Everest, offered to
pay for this third attempt.
His third attempt in May of 2006 led him to become the first American with diabetes to
summit Mount Everest, the highest point on earth. "With one foot in China, one foot in
Nepal, I watched the sun rise and the curvature of the earth," said Cross. "Tears are
frozen down my face, and a smile bigger than my oxygen tank, I thought to myself, I have
two days to crawl down." Additionally, Cross is the first in the world with diabetes to
climb the highest mountain on each of the seven continents and trek to the North and South
Poles, a multi-year odyssey known as the NovoLog® Peaks and Poles Challenge. Cross closed
his address by challenging participants to be "inspired and empowered to do more with your
diet and exercise.
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Following his address, Dr. Dawn Smiley from Emory University Hospital's Division of
Endocrinology, provided an overview of diabetes, focusing on how to manage the disease and
how to avoid long-term complications.
Diabetes University courses featured topics on healthy eating, being active, monitoring,
taking medication, reducing risks and diabetes management, with session on Conversation Maps
and Ask the Experts. All of the classes were taught by diabetes educators, physicians,
clinicians and diabetes-related product representatives including the Diabetes Resource
Center at Piedmont Hospital, Grady Diabetes Clinic, Emory University Hospital, WellStar,
nd Amylin Pharmaceuiticals.
The seminar is designed to provide an annual affordable and accessible day of up-to-date d
iabetes education, and to improve the quality of life for people affected by diabetes,
including their family, friends and healthcare professionals. The event was on hiatus for one
year and returned with attendees thanking the Diabetes Association of Atlanta for bringing
the event back, citing the intimate setting for more "up close and personal" opportunities
with the speakers, diabetes educators, doctors, and exhibitors.
Sponsors for Diabetes University included the Greater Atlanta Association of Diabetes
Educators, Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk, Takeda, Sanofi Aventis, Merck, Atlanta
aily World, WAOK-1380 AM and WVEE-V-103 FM.
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