Carlos “Shawty Lo” Walker was once laid out on hospital bed with a blood-sugar level well over 1600. In 2001, the Atlanta rapper and founding member of the group D4L was diagnosed with diabetes and has since tried to use his rise to rap stardom as a tool for change.On Saturday, September 20, Lo will participate in the American Diabetes Association’s Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes, where he will serve as team captain of the Diabetes Destroyers. Taking place at Historic Grant Park in Atlanta, the ADA’s signature fundraiser will focus on raising money to find a cure for the disease which affects 14.7 percent of African-Americans 20 years and older.Having blogged about his experience of living with diabetes on vibe.com, Lo realizes that beefs and hip-hop controversy must be placed aside because there are more important causes to stand up for.“Anything I can do to help raise awareness about diabetes, I will be there,” he said on the blog. “Everybody knows at least one person that has it, so it’s like when we participate in events, walks and things of that nature, we’re really helping somebody we care about, as well as ourselves because you never know when or how it can affect you.” –gavin philip godfrey
