Damon Wayans Cancels Tour Due To Diabetes Emergency

Comedian Damon Wayans has had to unexpectedly cancel a list of performances because of a medical emergency related to his Type 2 diabetes.

According to TMZ, Wayans was diagnosed with diabetes back in 2013. A complication related to diabetes has made Damon Wayans unable to fly, which means he won’t be able to make the dates on his tour schedule. Wayans’ next stop was on Saturday in Missouri, but a source close to Damon has claimed his diabetes has caused him to postpone the performances indefinitely.

Gossip Cop reported that Wayans’ diabetes hasn’t completely debilitated him. He will still be able to attempt a few shows within driving distance of Los Angeles, but his diabetes has kept him from getting on a plane. The diabetes-related health crisis could keep the comedian off all stages for awhile, both in-state and out.

Diabetes causes blood glucose levels to rise higher than normal in the body, with Type 2 diabetes resulting in the body failing to use insulin properly. Over time, people with Type 2 diabetes can’t produce enough insulin to keep their blood glucose levels healthy.

Damon talked about being diagnosed with diabetes in an interview with Charlotte Observer in 2014. He described how surprised he was to be told he had Type 2 diabetes, and how bad the condition had gotten.

“It tripped me out. My sugar was at 538,” he said.

“The beautiful thing about having family that has diabetes is knowing what not to do. I got an uncle that thinks insulin is supposed to enable him to eat cake. He’s standing over the dessert tray with his needle locked and loaded. He doesn’t even use the alcohol swab. He just sticks the needle straight through his clothes.”

Wayans then quickly launched into the now-famous Paleo diet to fight the diabetes, cutting out fruit, alcohol, soda, and cake. Thanks to the diet, Damon was able to keep his diabetes under control and go off insulin.

Unfortunately, the diabetes seems to be acting up again, though no reports explain what exactly the emergency was. Ironically, it was his diabetes that encouraged Wayans to come out of retirement from comedy, so he could go on stage and talk about his struggle with the disease.

“I had to go on stage and talk about it. t keeps me from being negative and self-absorbed. I tried to walk away from standup, but it’s been my therapy – my way of expressing anger, disappointments and fears and celebrating my hopes.”

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. About 24 million children adults have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the United States alone, with an estimated 7 million having diabetes without a diagnosis.