Carl Marks

It was the week of Thanksgiving in the year 1974. I was 12 years old, and it became obvious to my parents, if not me, that something was seriously wrong. I lost several pounds in a few days, was constantly thirsty, and urinating many times daily. I had a first cousin with “juvenile” diabetes, who had previously been diagnosed years ago. My Mom called my Aunt and described my condition, to which my Aunt responded, “You need to take Carl to the doctor immediately. He may have juvenile diabetes.” My Mom brought me to our family doctor, Edmond Kalifey, in Marksville, Louisiana. He performed a urinalysis and determined that I had elevated glucose in my urine. I was rushed to St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana where at a pediatrician (Dr. Malcolm Denley) diagnosed my condition as juvenile diabetes. I commenced insulin therapy (via daily injections of Lilly beef and pork insulin) to stabilize my condition. For the next six years, I visited Dr. Denley monthly, and he reviewed my carbohydrate intakes and urine glucose levels and insulin injection doses to make adjustments along the way. Thereafter, I began visiting my endocrinologist, Dr. Peterman Prosser, Baton Rouge, LA. Throughout the years, I took advantage of medical advancements (home blood glucose testing, etc.) In 1998, I migrated to insulin pump therapy and currently utilize pump technology coupled with a continuous glucose monitor, with Lilly’s Humalog insulin as my therapy of choice. I have had some setbacks and complications throughout the years including cardiac bypass surgery in 2004 (7 grafts.) This gave me a new lease on life, and consequently, I left my career in private industry, and committed 10 years to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for the primary purpose of helping young people live a better, healthier, and fulfilled life with Type 1 Diabetes, while endeavoring to fund research for the cure and therapeutic improvements. 9 years ago, I returned to private industry and am currently a Senior Vice President for a regional distribution company in Baton Rouge, LA. Years ago, after achieving my 25 year journey with Type 1 Diabetes (for which you sent me a 25 year Journey Award) I committed, as my most profound personal goal, to achieving the 50 year journey. On November 26th of this year (2024) I will have achieved this important milestone. I plan to celebrate this milestone as the very best gift I have been given in my 62 years of life. Thereafter, I plan to retire and recommit my time, energy, and resources to causes dedicated to improving the lives of fellow individuals living with this disease. I thank Lilly for your multitudes of decades committed to improving our lives and making our lives better. I am thankful and grateful for all that you do. Thank you for being my partner in this 50-year journey, and looking forward to more years ahead in partnership celebrating life well lived.