Versailles teen continues mission to strike out diabetes – WKYT

VERSAILLES, Ky.(WKYT) Saturday June 3, 2017 hundreds will come together to walk and run in an effort to help stop diabetes.

In Kentucky more than 300,000 people of all ages are living with diabetes.

One of those taking part this weekend is Parker Thomas, a young man from Woodford County who has used his diagnosis to help in the fight to find a cure from a very young age. As WKYT's Amber Philpott reports Thomas hopes his work will inspire others battling the disease to get involved.

WKYT first introduced you to Parker Thomas back in 2011, the spunky then 12-year-old was all about baseball and wasn't shy when asked about something very personal.

"On a daily basis I check around 10 to 12 times a day probably," said Parker Thomas.

The little leaguer, diagnosed at the age of eight looked at diabetes like a pitcher would face a batter. For Parker, striking it out became his mission.

"I want to find a cure, why not."

To do that, Parker and his family joined the annual Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes in Lexington, raising money to find that cure.

Parker also became a Youth Ambassador for the American Diabetes Association serving as a role model to countless youngsters with diabetes.

Fast forward to 2017, Parker now 18 just finished up his senior year at Woodford County High School. To this day, that mission and diabetes are still an everyday part of his life.

"It's never ending obviously, but I feel like we've definitely made strides from going from an insulin pen to a pump which has been miraculous. Right now it's the closest thing to a cure we have."

On Saturday Parker and his Scoops Crew team will again take part in that walk. His team is always easy to spot in the "scoops" shirts that have helped him raise some $30,000.

Parker says this year is the last Scoops Crew shirts he will hand out; he is headed off to college this fall to play baseball.

It's a bittersweet yet proud moment for Parker's mom.

"He used to be inspired by others and now I'm seeing others inspired by him and as a mom what more can you ask for," said Carrie Thomas.

Parker has done his best to strike out diabetes, now he's hoping his work will inspire another youngster to step up to bat to help in the fight to find a cure.

Parker says despite hanging up his fundraising hat, he will be back for the walk in years to come, and he will always support the ADA.

You can support the annual Step Out Walk this Saturday, June 3 at Keeneland. There is a 3 mile walk and run offered. For more information click on the link you see on this page.

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Versailles teen continues mission to strike out diabetes - WKYT