Yes, it should be pretty obvious that I think diabetes sucks. Otherwise, why would I be working so hard to help eliminate it.
Anyways, I figured it was high time I started talking a bit more about the topic… so I created a category to discuss diabetes, Tour de Cure, and related topics.
As always, you can donate to my Tour de Cure fundraising ride by visiting diabetessucks.net.
If you are interested in seeing where donors to my ride are from, visit diabetessucks.net/map.
Enjoy!
Team Novo Nordisk posed an interesting question on their website …
WOULD YOU GIVE BACK YOUR DIABETES DIAGNOSIS?
There are two sides to the question for me …
Continue readingI really don’t understand some people … why is someone else’s success a reason to send hate mail?
Recently, the Diabetes Daily blog published a piece about Deven Pearson … a Type 2 diabetic that lost 160 lbs and got his diabetes well under control.
Soon after the article was posted, Deven started getting hate mail.
Well, it’s that time again.
The 2013 Tour de Cure is over and was an unqualified success.
Time to start thinking about the 2014 Tour de Cure.
I’m setting my goals pretty much the same as they were last year … I’m going to ride a metric century (100 km / 62 miles) and raise at least $5000.
To sponsor me, please visit my tour page “Ride With David“.
Once again I’m taking on the mantel of captain of Team RED. For the 2013 ride we raised, as a team, $50,000 and recruited 90 riders. For 2014 we’re shooting for 120 riders and $60,000.
During the 2013 Tour de Cure ride, my friend Marty was active on various social media sites … he frequently used the phrase “Not dead yet”.
As it happened, I recently finished a book that was recommended to me by a fellow type 2 diabetic. It was “Not Dead Yet: My Race Against Disease: From Diagnosis to Dominance” by Phil Southerland.
When Phil was a child, he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. His mother was told that he would either be dead or blind by the time he was 25. Despite this prediction, he went on to be a world class professional cycle racer and founded a professional cycle racing team: Team Type 1 (now Team Novo Nordisk).
I found the book to be very good and quite enlightening … on multiple levels.
Well, I did it. I rode a metric century (100 km / 62 miles) for the 2013 Chicago Tour de Cure!
That’s the longest distance I’ve ever ridden in a single ride.
I also raised $5,291 for the ADA. That made me a Champion on a Mission. A big thank you to everyone who sponsored me.
I’m super proud of myself for both achievements!
I was quite worried about the weather. The forecast was for rain, but thankfully the meteorologists were as accurate as usual, and the weather was perfect. Sunny, warm, but a bit cool at the start. Perfect riding weather.
I rode with my friends Marty & Steve. Due to allergies, lack of sleep, and the remnants of a bad cough, Steve wasn’t able to finish. Steve did do 45 miles which, under the circumstances, was pretty darn good. Marty and I finished the ride with few problems.
Below is a map and statistics of the ride from Strava…
Well, I’ve achieved my goal for the 2013 Tour de Cure!
Last year I raised $3500 for diabetes research & education … this year I initially set my goal a little higher than that … $4000. I quickly found out I have a group of very generous and supportive friends, family, & co-workers. My goal was (rather quickly) raised to $5000.
Last Thursday, I achieved that goal.
Am I going to stop trying to raise money? Of course not. More is always better.
Being involved in the Tour de Cure is a wonderful outlet for me … it’s a very worthwhile cause, gets me on my bike on a regular basis, and has introduced me to a lot of really great people.
I’m also enjoying getting Team RED transformed into something a little more cohesive. While we haven’t been able to get as many training rides organized (mainly due to weather), I’m pleased with what we’ve done so far. I’m hoping to keep Team RED organized as a group through the year so we can continue pulling together as a real team next year.
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st years Tour de Cure was great! I rode 35 miles and raised $3500 for diabetes education & research. I also met some really great people and got involved in a cause that I can believe in.
Riding in the Tour has multiple benefits for me … obviously raising money for diabetes research can only help… and riding is a great exercise.
So this year I’m stepping it up a notch.
The ride is over and I did my 35 miles.
I had a good time, got lots of exercise, met some interesting people … and got involved in a cause that both directly and indirectly effects me.
I raised $3380 … which made me an “Ultimate Champion for Diabetes”. I got a fancy shmancy gold medal and, theoretically, a champions riding jersey (although that didn’t arrive on time, so I wore a red riders jersey). The medal was kind of silly, but I would have liked to have been able to wear the jersey.
Riding helped me in many ways … there’s the obvious cardio benefit, which helps keep my diabetes under control, but it also helped me deal with the stress of my mom’s illness and passing. About three weeks before the ride, my co-worker Marty and I were planning on doing a 35 mile ride (following the Tour de cure route), when my mom was moved into the hospice unit at St. James Hospital. He asked if I wanted to cancel our ride, but I told him that I needed to ride.
I’d like to thank everyone who sponsored me on the ride … your support is greatly appreciated.
I am participating in the American Diabetes Association’s annual Tour de Cure event this year. I am asking you to join me in the effort to Stop Diabetes by making a contribution to support my ride.
The dollars we raise for the American Diabetes Association fund research, provide services, and give voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. I believe in the work they do, and I invite you to join me in this effort. More than 25 million Americans live with diabetes, and your support can and will make a difference in their lives.
Please help by making a donation – large or small – to support the work of the American Diabetes Association. Or, why not join me on the day of the event? Become a participant and side by side, as teammates, we can work together to Stop Diabetes!
Whatever you can give will help! I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.
Thank you for making a generous contribution to this cause that is so important to me!