Local Latino Supports Joslin Diabetes Center’s Latino Diabetes Initiative as Event Co-Chair

Jamaica Plain resident, Lazaro Lopez may not have a personal connection to diabetes, but as the disease increasingly affects the Latino community, he feels a great responsibility to take action; Lazaro is of Cuban and Colombian descent.  A child of Latin descent born after 2000 has a 50% chance of developing diabetes in their lifetime.

“It is our duty to do something about it. We have to help our own people,” said Lazaro.

Lazaro, better known as Laz, fears that many Latinos are not as educated as they need to be about diet, nutrition and exercise, and he practices what he preaches; Laz bikes about 10 miles a day and maintains a healthy diet to decrease his chances.

To take action and educate Latinos on the risk of diabetes, Laz joined the Latino Diabetes Initiative (LDI) at Joslin Diabetes Center after learning about it through working at Verizon. Previously, the Verizon Foundation approved a grant for Joslin to monitor patients with diabetes in South America using the Verizon network.

Laz has been involved with Joslin Diabetes Center and the Latino Diabetes Initiative for the past three years. He started as a committee member of the ritmos de salud event and now is the event co-chair. Ritmos de salud, which Laz is co-chairing alongside Javier Bellini, is an upbeat event that celebrates the Latino culture, while benefiting Joslin Diabetes Center’s LDI. This year’s event is September 26th at the Artists for Humanity EpiCenter in South Boston and features cultural performances from local music and dance groups.   A fabulous array of food will be provided by some of Boston’s most renowned Chefs, led by the event’s culinary chair – Chef Jose Duarte of Taranta. 

“My favorite part about ritmos de salud is the fun – it is an event with an important message with all the great music, food and lively vibe of a real, traditional Latino celebration,” said Lazaro.  “I encourage my community to get involved and join me in supporting Joslin’s mission to find a cure for this disease.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RITMOS DE SALUD, TO BECOME AN EVENT SPONSOR, OR TO PURCHASE TICKETS ($75), PLEASE VISIT giving.joslin.org/ritmos OR CONTACT JOSLIN DEVELOPMENT AT 617.309.2512 OR Meghan.Mongeau@joslin.harvard.edu.