TUSCON TO PTOWN - A 3,000 MILE BIKE RIDE FOR T1D

Children's Diabetes Foundation supporter, Gene, is riding his bike from Tucson, AZ to Provincetown, MA to help raise money for CDF and two other charities beginning in June! "It is roughly 3000 miles across our country mostly along the byways of the USA. I’m thinking it’s about sixty days on the road sleeping here and there and probably getting a little crusty as time passes. Won’t be the first time, getting a little crusty, that is. I have a good solid bicycle, good rubber, a good headlight that works, not much gear (enough though), and a strong sense of direction, I don’t get lost much. I do have a phone and am told there are maps on the phone. I have a pretty good idea of the way. My team and I have a website. From there you will have access to progress and how the donations are going."

The inspiration for the ride to Ptown came from a friend’s daughter, Anna, who is type 1. Anna tells her story like this, “When I was 5 years old, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. For a few weeks I was constantly exhausted, drinking a ton of water, and overall feeling very sick. I didn’t know what was happening to me so my response to my concerned mom was, “I’m fine”. Soon after, we realized I wasn’t, and rushed me to the hospital where I spent 3 days in the ICU. Ever since those few days in the hospital, I have lived the past 13 years dealing with a new challenge every day. I slept in the same room as my parents until I was about 13 years old out of fear that my blood sugar would drop in the middle of the night and I wouldn’t be able to tell. I was given insulin injections multiple times a day for the first 6 months of my diagnosis, until I was fortunate enough to be put on an insulin pump, which meant only one 1 injection every few days. I have woken up to paramedics at my house in the middle of the night because my blood sugar dropped so low that my parents couldn’t wake me up. Every day is different than the day before, and every day is a new challenge. No matter what I am doing, or where I am, it is always my top priority. It is exhausting, stressful, and terrifying at times. Many children are diagnosed and are unable to access the treatment and care they need. This is a huge problem that needs to be addressed. Children with diabetes need to be able to access insulin and all of the supplies they need to live the life they deserve.” The ride from Tuscon to Ptown is about kids and adults with diabetes.

To follow Gene's ride visit his website at tucson2ptown.org.