Ex-Rays OF Sam Fuld hosting his annual diabetes sports camp at USF Tampa this weekend

Former Rays OF Sam Fuld returns to Tampa this weekend for his seventh annual Sam Fuld Diabetes Sports Camp, hosted by the USF Diabetes Center at USF Tampa in partnership with SLAMT1D and Florida Diabetes Camps.

About 150 campers – kids 8-17 with Type 1 diabetes, plus their friends and siblings – will participate in various sports under the guidance of coaches who all played collegiately or professionally with the disease.

"The camp is a great opportunity for kids to spend time with other campers, coaches and counselors who share the same grueling, relentless challenge of managing Type 1 diabetes," Fuld said Thursday.

"Our campers get to learn from amazing T1D athletes and role models, while their parents hear from the incredible USF Diabetes Center staff. Each year I walk away from the weekend feeling incredibly proud knowing we've positively impacted so many kids and families in the T1D community."

Fuld, who played eight seasons in the big leagues, just joined the Phillies as major-league player information coordinator, where he will analyze data and makes recommendation on performance as part of new manager Gabe Kapler's staff.

"Balancing activity and blood sugar control can be a challenge for athletes with type 1 diabetes, but with proper management they can achieve just about everything," USF Diabetes Center medical director Dr. Henry Rodriguez said in a statement. "Sam and the other coaches who
volunteer for this camp embody this spirit and are wonderful role models for these children."

Rodriguez and staff will provide medical supervision for the campers.