‘Idol’ runner-up embraces role as ambassador for diabetes association

By KIRK BAIRD

Toledo Blade

Typically at this point in the summer, American Idol runner-up Crystal Bowersox is in the midst of a nationwide tour of clubs and intimate venues, playing from a set-list that includes tracks from her two major-label albums, 2010’s Farmer’s Daughter and 2013’s All That for This, and 2014’s seven-song EP Promises.

But this summer isn’t typical.

And neither is Bowersox.

Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 6, the Elliston native has long struggled with the potentially deadly disease, which, the American Diabetes Association says, affects 1.25 million Americans.

Bowersox’s battle with diabetes took a dramatic turn on network TV, when high sugar numbers landed her in the hospital overnight mid-way through her run on American Idol’s 2010 season, and forced the show’s female and male contestants to alternate performance nights. The singer-songwriter responded to the health scare with a ‘gospel-ly church’ version of “Long as I Can See the Light” that had the judges gushing.

Not only was it Bowersox’s breakout moment on American Idol, it also marked a major turnaround in her effort to control her Type 1 diabetes. Six years later, the 30-year-old is proud to report she’s doing quite well.

“Absolutely,” she said in a recent phone interview. “I have better management of my diabetes and better stability in my life. Because of that, I’m happy to try and help other people so that they can have that too in their lives.”

In fact, Lilly Diabetes, which is part of global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, recently named her as its Type 1 diabetes ambassador.

As part of her ambassador role, Bowersox will make stops at diabetes camps and events nationwide this month to meet with children who have diabetes as part of the Lilly Camp Care Package program, one of the largest diabetes camp support programs in the country. Her Lilly Diabetes camp tour begins July 18 and includes a local stop: 10 a.m. July 22 at DYS (Diabetes Youth Services) Little Shots Camp at Olander Park, 6930 Sylvania Ave., in Sylvania. For more information, visit diabetescamps.org.

To Lilly, the partnership made sense.

“As someone who was diagnosed with diabetes as a child, Crystal Bowersox understands what newly diagnosed children can go through,” Mike Mason, Lilly vice president, said in a statement.

“She is a terrific example of someone who has managed the ups and downs of the disease, [and] we are excited to include her perspective as we continue to meet the needs of children with diabetes.”

And as ‘a kid who went to diabetic camps,’ the opportunity to share her success story as a Type 1 diabetes ambassador was impossible to decline.

“When Lilly asked me to travel around the country and talk with kids with diabetes, it was a definite ‘yes,’ there was no hesitation at all,” Bowersox said. “I’m just trying to help and do what I can to hopefully inspire kids and to let those with Type 1 diabetes know that they’re not alone.”

At each camp appearance Bowersox will play a couple songs, answer questions, and “just talk to [campers] about being a musician on the road with diabetes,” she said, a task that’s “not always easy, but it’s not impossible.”

“Your attitude is your best friend or your best enemy,” she said.

Eating right and exercise – including taking advantage of hotel fitness rooms – are also key factors, as is technology. Bowersox has an insulin pump and wears a CDM (continuous glucose monitoring) device. “With these two things I’m able to better manage my blood sugar, which will prevent long-term complications from diabetes.”

As part of that upward swing in her life, Bowersox relocated to Nashville more than a year ago – a move as healthy for her personally as it is professionally.

“In Nashville, everyone on your street is a songwriter, which makes it easier to write a song,” Bowersox said, her voice still raspy from “whooping it up” with her son on July 4.

“Nashville is a great place to be.”

And while her career and being a single mom limits her TV time and general awareness of pop culture trends, she has seen the America’s Got Talent performance of Calysta Bevier.

The 16-year-old’s heart-felt version of Rachel Platten’s ‘Fight Song’ drew mad praise from the judges, particularly Simon Cowell, who sent the singer directly to the show’s finals. Besides the support of the former American Idol judge, the teen’s story resembles that of Bowersox in that Bevier also grew up in northwest Ohio (Bevier is from Grand Rapids), faced a major health crisis (she is a stage three ovarian cancer survivor), and a network talent show may launch her career.

So what advice does the American Idol star offer Bevier?

“I saw some performance that she did, and I don’t think she needs any advice,” Bowersox said. “I think she’s amazing, and she knows what she’s doing.

“I think she’s doing just fine.”