Parker has been an active supporter of diabetes research since being diagnosed at age 10. He is participating in his second clinical research study at Yale School of Medicine, and with his parents, he started the first Four Rivers Walk to Cure Diabetes in Western Kentucky.

Parker has been an active supporter of diabetes research since being diagnosed at age 10. He is participating in his second clinical research study at Yale School of Medicine, and with his parents, he started the first Four Rivers Walk to Cure Diabetes in Western Kentucky. The Walk has raised over $160,000 for JDRF, and "Parker's Pack" alone has raised over $25,000. In addition, Parker's story of living with diabetes has appeared in local publications and on local television. Last year, he met with his congressman for JDRF's Promise to Remember Me Campaign. Parker wants to use his personal experience with type 1 to convince Congress of the need for research funding. Parker enjoys water skiing, wakeboarding, tennis, golf, basketball, and playing the trumpet – although he says his main interest is in the fight against diabetes.