RALEIGH, N.C. – Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson announced today that he has agreed to serve as National Ambassador for CR3 Diabetes Association, Inc. Wilson is one of the most successful college quarterbacks in history, setting two all-time NCAA records for quarterbacks while leading the Wisconsin Badgers to the Rose Bowl.
Despite his many blessings, Wilson has seen his share of pain. In 2007, his beloved father, Harrison Wilson III, suffered a series of diabetes-related strokes and was not expected to survive. Harrison, a widely respected Richmond attorney who played college football at Dartmouth, was always an inspiration to his children so they weren’t surprised when he defied the diagnosis and recovered from his stroke. Unfortunately the disease that had ravaged his body ultimately caught up with him and Mr. Harrison passed away on June 9, 2010. As he watched his father’s battle with diabetes, Wilson vowed he would do what he could to help once he reached the NFL.
The CR3 Diabetes Association, Inc.encourages people with diabetes to take control of their health by providing medical devices and supplies to those unable to afford the cost. It provides the necessary tools to monitor diabetes such as free glucose meters and testing strips while offering substantial discounts for insulin pumps and insulin pump supplies. This program allows each diabetic it assists to be a healthy candidate when a cure is developed.
Russell was impressed with this mission when he met Charles Ray III, his wife Heather and brother-in-law Winston Ducally – the trio of diabetes sufferers who started and operate the nonprofit. “These good people help provide life-saving supplies and education to thousands of people who wouldn’t otherwise have access to these things”, said Wilson. “If I can help call attention to this critical problem we can help even more people.”
Charles Ray III has been following Wilson’s career since he was a freshman at North Carolina State and was amazed by his athletic abilities, but even more so by his character and leadership. “We are so blessed to have a young man with so much talent and heart, step up to and join with us to help save lives throughout the nation,” said Ray.
About CR3 Diabetes Association, Inc.
CR3 Diabetes Association, Inc. is a 501c3 Tax Exempt Non-Profit Organization that was established in 1998 to provide free equipment and supplies to the many uninsured or underinsured diabetics in need. Since that time the organization has provided free diabetes-care products to more than 3,000 people. According to a recent study, reported by NBC, between 1999 and 2008, the percentage of adolescents ages 12 to 19 with diabetes or prediabetes increased from 9 percent to 23 percent so we face a dire future unless we act now. With Russell Wilson’s help, our goal is to help save even more lives by assisting diabetics who otherwise wouldn’t have access to these critical supplies.
About Russell Wilson
Wilson began his collegiate football career in Raleigh at NC State University. He became the first freshman quarterback in conference history to be selected to First-Team All-ACC and was also named the ACC Rookie of the Year (2008). In 2010, he led the Wolfpack to a 9-4 season and a win over West Virginia in the Champs Sports Bowl.
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In 2011, Wilson graduated in just three years from NC State with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and transferred to the University of Wisconsin, where he entered the Masters in Education Leadership and Policy Analysis program.
During his only season with the Badgers, Wilson led the team to an 11-3 record and an appearance in the Rose Bowl. Wilson received the MVP award of the Big Ten Championship Game, was named Big Ten Quarterback of the Year and voted First-Team All-Big Ten. Wilson passed for a school record 33 touchdowns while throwing only 4 interceptions. He also set the all-time NCAA passer rating record for a single season (191.8) and the NCAA record for the most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (38).
Wilson is married to the former Ashton Meem. They reside in Seattle, where he is in competition for the starting quarterback slot for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. French/West/Vaughan of Raleigh, NC manages Wilson’s marketing and charitable programs.
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