Meet Kya Epps: A Track Champion Making Type 1 Diabetes More Visible
Kya Epps knows how to move fast. The University of Cincinnati sprinter is a school record holder and Big 12 100-meter champion. She’s also using her platform to encourage other athletes living with type 1 diabetes.
According to Cincinnati Athletics, Epps was diagnosed in eighth grade, just before starting high school. As she learned about diabetes and insulin, she was also discovering how far her talent on the track could take her.
Her experience sparked an interest in diabetes awareness—and a hope of someday working with Dexcom. That opportunity arrived when she joined Dexcom U, the company’s name, image and likeness program for college athletes with diabetes.
One of the most meaningful parts? Meeting other athletes who understood her experience. During a July trip to San Diego, Epps connected with fellow participants and helped create content for the program. gobearcats.com
Her story offers something valuable beyond an impressive race result: visibility. For a young athlete adjusting to a diagnosis, seeing someone like Epps competing and speaking openly about diabetes can make the future feel a little less unfamiliar.
At Direct Diabetes, we’re glad to share stories that make those connections possible.
