Todd and his crew had an opportunity to “meet and greet” the residents of Newton and Des Moines as part of the Team’s efforts to help raise awareness for Juvenile Diabetes. Despite very poor weather conditions a number of residents showed up to help raise money for the research foundation. The Meet and Greet was held at Newton’s newest Hy-Vee grocery store and Todd and his team express their thanks to the entire Newton Hy-Vee team (management and employees). Kids received free zipper pulls, autographs, photos with the car and best of all… Mary Hunter, Executive Director of Iowa’s JDRF managed to ‘crawl into the car for a photo opp’! Hy-Vee pulled out all stops and grilled chicken, steak, ribs and burgers for the team and area residents. All-in-all, $250 was raised for JDRF – and the biggest benefactors are those who will benefit from ongoing research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes!

Special thanks go to Jason Avery, Speed Channel for helping publicize Todd’s (and team’s) goal of raising money for diabetes research in a live segment during the Prairie Meadows 250.

Thanks also go to Daren Havens (Marketing Director, ARCA Racing) and Laura Manatt (Marketing Director, Iowa Speedway) for tickets/passes awarded to lucky folks who attended the “Meet and Greet”. Though race day weather was gray and cool, ticket winners saw an excellent race! We thank them for their support!

As a popular energy drink overseas, great tasting Mad Croc is now in the U.S.Looking to gain exposure to race fans, Mad Croc has agreed to a sponsor program with Hansen Motorsports. The team is excited to have Mad Croc on-board and feels it is a way for an up-and-coming team to help promote an up-and-coming energy drink … and vice-versa!

Todd Hansen spoke before some of the 18,000 supporters of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) at the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN. JDRF holds this fundraising ‘walk event’ every year in January at many locations across the U.S. with the Mall of America being the largest of the indoor venues and second largest in the U.S.

As a type 1 diabetic, Todd was privileged to speak with parents and kids about proper care and management of diabetes and letting them know there is nothing to prevent diabetic children from leading active and productive lives. Todd’s words of encouragement were able to bring hope to families who have been told diabetes will control their lives. Many walkers saw Todd in a six minute video featuring his life as an ARCA driver including exciting footage from ARCA racing. Todd helped JDRF urge the audience to continue the effort to raise awareness about diabetes and help fund research that will bring a cure.

Hansen Motorsports, with support of team members Skip Pollack, Dan Peterson, Rob Grave, Scott Brandt and Scott Hansen, put Todd’s Chevrolet Monte Carlo race car on display in one of the mall’s retail courts. Todd posed for photos with kids and parents, and autographed signature cards and T-shirts.

It was an inspirational day with JDRF benefiting from donations expected to reach the Twin Cities Chapter’s goal of $1.65 million. Todd is excited to be supporting JDRF’s work.

Hansen stated, Being associated with a foundation that is so focused on a cure for diabetes is an honor. Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the
United States, affecting nearly 22 million Americans. We are hoping to help build awareness both on and off the track. JDRF is doing great work and I encourage race fans everywhere to join us in our efforts.

JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Diabetes is a disease which strikes people many of them children suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke and amputation.

Todd has had total responsibility for all car setup decisions as well as responsibility for all mechanical aspects of the operation with the exception of engine building. His diabetes responsibilities consist of monitoring his blood sugars on a daily basis. The constant threat of high and low blood sugars has proven to be a formidable challenge to his racing career. Hansen said, For my safety and the safety of others, I test every time I get ready to driveon or off the track. I feel like it is my responsibility to my fellow racers and everyone I share the road with. Advances in technology and insulin have helped immensely.

Hansen has consistently placed in the top 10 in competitive ARCA races across the country. Todds successes dont surprise me at all, said team owner and father Bill Hansen, a retired 747 Captain for Northwest Airlines. Hes excelled in everything hes done and now he hopes to excel in diabetes awareness and finding a cure.

While Todds dad, Bill, has really partnered with Todd on his racing career, Todds mom, Diane, has been his partner in managing his diabetes. She recalls, When Todd was diagnosed 24 years ago, the doctors said wed never have a normal life again. It has been challenging, but all of the research funded by JDRF has brought the chance of a long life and hope for a cure. Now Im not sure which worries me moreTodds diabetes or that he races cars at 180 miles per hour.

From super late model track champion at I-94 Raceway and Fergus Falls Raceway to the ARCA RE/MAX Series, from graduating with honors from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration to All-City hockey player, Hansen is not afraid to put the pedal to the metal when it comes to helping find a cure. As a start, he has formed a team for the Walk to Cure Diabetes. He is inviting race fans and anyone who cares about curing diabetes to become a member of his team. Team members can go to www.walk.jdrf.org and click on support a walker and type in walker name Todd Hansen or team name Speed the Cure.

Todd and his parents are available for interviews. JDRF can also provide additional organizational event and research information.