John Randell, 12, lives in Henderson and races in the Short Line Express Market/Chevron Jr. Dragster Series at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Less than one year ago, the Mannion Middle School student was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Randell turned his medical setback into an opportunity to help others by founding Diabetes Education Awareness, LLC. His goal this spring was to raise $1,500 in donations so that he can send three children to a diabetes education camp (Camp Buck, at the Grizzly Creek Ranch near Reno) in August for one week.  His foundation’s mission was to pay all expenses, including airfare, for the three candidates.

He reached his goal this weekend of raising $1,500 in donations to send three children to a diabetes education camp (Camp Buck, at the Grizzly Creek Ranch near Reno) Saturday night at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Randell collected money for his cause at a display beneath the grandstands at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's 3/8-mile paved oval.  One anonymous female donor dropped off $600 for the cause.

John Randell, 12, lives in Henderson and races in the Short Line Express Market/Chevron Jr. Dragster Series at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Less than one year ago, the Mannion Middle School student was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Randell turned his medical setback into an opportunity to help others by founding Diabetes Education Awareness, LLC. His goal this spring was to raise $1,500 in donations so that he can send three children to a diabetes education camp (Camp Buck, at the Grizzly Creek Ranch near Reno) in August for one week.  His foundation’s mission was to pay all expenses, including airfare, for the three candidates.

He reached his goal this weekend of raising $1,500 in donations to send three children to a diabetes education camp (Camp Buck, at the Grizzly Creek Ranch near Reno) Saturday night at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Randell collected money for his cause at a display beneath the grandstands at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's 3/8-mile paved oval.  One anonymous female donor dropped off $600 for the cause.

“The Nevada Diabetes Association (www.diabetesnv.org) is the only association that holds camp for diabetic kids and their families,” Randell explained. “Some of the kids that need help are foster children. The camp allows them to have some fun with peers in a similar situation and it may be the only education they will receive about diabetes.”

Camp Buck provides a safe and enjoyable camp experience for children with diabetes and affords them the opportunity to meet and develop friendships with other children diagnosed with diabetes. Camp Buck is staffed by volunteer physicians, diabetes educators, nurses, dietitians, medical students, residents, college students, alumni and others who enjoy working with children in an outdoor setting.

Randell’s goals are to help find a cure for diabetes, go to college and compete as a professional NHRA drag racer.

“I want to educate everyone I meet about diabetes so that we can work together to find a cure.”

To contact Randell or obtain more information about his diabetes foundation, please e-mail him at prandell@juno.com .
 

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