DESA Athletic Achievement Award Winners for 2006

Sept 7, 2006 Papendal, Arnhem, The Netherlands

(from Left): Johan Desmedt, Director of LifeScan-The Netherlands; Jordan Perlman; Kerry White; Travis Pascoe

For the twelveth year, LifeScan has sponored the presentation of the 2006 DESA Athletic Achievement Awards to recognize exceptional athletes who have fulfilled their athletic pursuits in an exemplary fashion. Winners receive the honor and a cash prize of $5000 at the Annual DESA conference.

Two categories of awards are presented: one Lew Harper Memorial Youth Award given to a youth who has distinguished himself/herself with outstanding athletic and academic achievement; and two adult category awards to candidates who have excelled in their chosen sport. The objective of the program is to inspire others with diabetes to also pursue their dreams. The winners are selected to embody the goals of DESA by serving as role models.

Kerry White

Kerry White was diagnosed with diabetes at age 11. She says "Living with diabetes is always a challenge; however, the challenges are what help make you the bet person you can be. As a diabetic, one of the greatest challenges I think most people face is the desire to be normal, exercise is one way we can feel normal and believe in ourselves. Exercise has provided me witha spirit for freedom and the determination to show others that diabetes should not be a road block but instead the key to freedom and well being."

Kerry was always active in swimming, field hockey, netball, and alpine sking; but in 1998 she began pursuing cycling and nordic skiing as an ultra endurance athlete. She competed in 24 hour bike races and ultimately completed the Race Across America in 2005, winning 1st place women's team. She is also an elite cross-country ski competitor in nnumerous races in the Colorado Rockies. An Australian from birth she now resides in Vail Colorado to pursue her sports. She is currently training for a 2007 solo Race Across America, which starts in San Diego and ends at Atantic City. (learn more about Kerry from her comments upon receiving the DESA Award).

Jordan Perlman

Jordan Perlman, now age 17 and having diabetes since age 11, a freshman at Cornell University, is this year's winner of the Lew Harper Memorial Youth Award for her outstanding achievements during her high school years. She is a multisport competitive athlete, having lettered in three sports--softball, scccer, and indoor track. In addition, she has been a competitive swimmer on the Potomac Valley Swimming Long Course Zone team. As a junior in 2005 at Georgetown Day School, she was elected softball team captain and again for the 2006 season. She also played softball on a summer travel team, and competed in the PONY Nationals for two years. She also competed in water polo.

In addition to her passion for athletics, Jordan maintained an excellent academic record and was recognized as a National Merit Commended Scholar, Potomac Valley Scholar Athlele (2004), Regional Winner and Finalist of the Live Poets Society onf NJ High School Poetry Competion, (spring 2005) and was selected as a Cornell Presidential Research Scholar, joing a select group of Cornell students.

Jordan's immeiate goal ise to compete in Cornell softball as a "walk on"

DESA is pleased to raise up Jordan's accomplishmens as a wonderful example to other young people who have been diagnosed, that diabetes can be a motivator, not a barrier, to success.

Travis Pascoe

Travis Pascoe (at right in pictures) was an All American wrestler for the University of Nebraska from 2000-2005, with the distinction of winning 100 matches--a feat seldom seen in school history. He is currntly competing for a berth on the 2008 U. S. Olympic Wrestling Team, and is now ranked 4th is his weight class (84 kilograms).

Travis was diagnosed at age 15, right in the middle of his high school years and already a standout wrestler. His sport requires superior conditioning and weight control and Travis did not let diabetes prevent him from compiling a 138 and 8 high school career record, and winning three Washington State championships. Travis was meticulous in monitoring his glucose, adjusting his caloric intake, and following the recommendations of his treating physican.

Travis intends to use the prize money to help cover expenses to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and in various tournaments around the world on the way to fullfiling his Olympic Dream.