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Mary and Tom at a training ride in May |
I haven't written much on this blog in the last couple of years because the JDRF Ride Program has been in kind of a holding pattern as a result of the pandemic. Sure, we were still raising money, but there were no destination rides for two years. But we are back at it for 2022 and we are very excited. This is our 18th year of riding to cure Type 1 Diabetes
and we have set a pretty big goal for ourselves. But before we get to our goal,
let us give you a little background.
In
September of 1997 our oldest son Jake was diagnosed with T1D as he was entering
first grade. Our lives changed overnight. We had to carefully watch what Jake
ate, check his blood sugars several times a day, give him shots of insulin, and
worry about the long-term complications of the disease. Would our little six-year-old
someday go blind or have to have an amputation because of diabetes? We couldn’t
sit back, we had to do something to help hasten a cure for this terrible
disease. So, we got involved with the local chapter of JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation).
We
started by participated in the Walk to Cure Diabetes. We also took part in the
Promise Gala. We started Jake’s Music Festival to use music and a positive atmosphere
to raise funds and bring the message of JDRF to a new audience. Then, 18 years
ago, a small group of us from West Michigan started our ride team. Since then,
we have raised over 2.5 million dollars for diabetes research.
The
money raised by JDRF has helped immensely. Things like the insulin pump and the
continuous glucose monitor exist today because of JDRF donations and advocacy. We
feel very proud to be part of an organization that is helping to improve the
lives of people with T1D.
This
year JDRF will be holding one of its national destination rides right here in
Grand Rapids on June 11 and we will be there. Our goal for the Grand Rapids
ride is $4,000. We have also set a stretch goal for ourselves. JDRF is hosting
a ride in Tucson, Arizona on November 19. If we can raise an additional $8,000,
we will be riding there as well. That’s a lot of money and we can’t do it
without your support.
Donating
is simple. Checks can be made out to JDRF (or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) and sent to us at 6184
Archer St. NE, Rockford, MI 49341. You can also donate over on the left side of the
page, click on “Donate to Tom” or “Donate to Mary” and follow the easy directions. You can also track our training progress and
see photos of the ride.
On
behalf of Jake and everyone suffering with diabetes, we thank you for your
support.