Jay Cutler may have had his most miserable day as an NFL quarterback on Sunday in his debut with his new team, the Chicago Bears. However, despite throwing three interceptions before halftime, the quarterback has made at least one child with diabetes a winner yesterday. That’s because Cutler recently announced a new program that will help send a child with diabetes to camp for every touchdown pass he throws.
The Touchdowns for Diabetes Camp scholarship program is being launched in coordination with Eli Lilly and the American Diabetes Association. For every touchdown, $1,000 will be donated to the ADA’s “Camp Scholarship”. In Sunday’s game versus the Packers, Cutler threw one touchdown – a 36-yard pass to Devin Hester.
Cutler was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes after his second season in the NFL, while playing for the Denver Broncos. He says he wanted to encourage kids with diabetes to pursue their own dreams despite having the disease and encourage them not to let the disease derail them from achieving their goals in life.
In addition to this endeavor, Lilly will give an additional $ 100 to ADA Camp Scholarship fund for every pass Cutler completes in 2009. This will give more kids a chance to attend the Summer Camp in 2010.
Cutler, who visited children’s hospitals across the country after his first NFL Pro Bowl in February, said that it is important for children with diabetes to attend Summer Camp so that they feel the support from fellow children. Camp also allows them to learn how to deal with their diabetes.
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