Always grateful.

You people are so lovely and kind. Each year, my friends, you amaze me beyond what I could imagine or even fathom. For the past three years, you’ve entertained my cycling whims and humored my attempts to cure diabetes through the pedals of a bicycle.

I started volunteering and fundraising for JDRF shortly after my diagnosis at 11 years old. The elusive cure was to be five years away. This year, I turn 32 and my diabetes will turn 21. That cure is still very much elusive, but it’s not as far-fetched as it was at my diagnosis.

I’d love to tell you I’ve always believed a cure will be found, but I haven’t. I’ve seen the ugly side of healthcare and big business. I’ve seen the inside of the pharmaceutical industry, and I see profits made from sickness over wellness. I’ve struggled for years to believe in a cure for type 1 diabetes. But lately, I see a light and it’s not as much of a struggle. I have a new belief in the industry and a renewed hope in JDRF–most of which has happened through my involvement with the Ride program.

There are better technologies available, and there are even more coming down the line. There’s research in beta cell regeneration (the cells that produce insulin) and beta cell encapsulation and research in staving off progression (which does little for me but could be huge for my future children). Each year, I seem to find managing diabetes easier. Part of that is a testament to making more friends with type 1 which increases my support system, part of it is because I’ve educated myself a bit more each year on health and diet and insulin knowledge. But the larger part is because I’ve now seen the inside of JDRF, and what this organization does trumps all I’ve seen from the inside of the healthcare industry as a whole. Pharma is not all bad. In fact, some of the larger players are instrumental in research and key figures in the race to cure type 1 diabetes.

I ride my bike because I’m selfish. I love, love, love cycling for so many reasons, and what it does for my body and my health is tremendously beneficial. I ride for JDRF because I want a cure, and because I want others to know anything is possible, even with the ever-complicated type 1 diabetes. All that aside, I have a hope I haven’t felt in years. A hope for my future (and maybe for yours), a hope for the future of my own family (of which many have diabetes) and a hope for my future family–all of whom are at risk for this diagnosis. Those people are the biggest reason I ride.

I support several charities and ministries, all for various reasons. But JDRF is personal for me, and I’m completely humbled and grateful when others choose to make it personal, too. For every $10 donation to every $100 donation, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful for every penny and for every word of encouragement. You are deeply appreciated.

I’m still fundraising for both of my rides. I’ll be raising money for the Sept. 8 Tahoe ride through the end of September. You can support it here. I’ll be fundraising for the Nov. 1 Nashville ride through the end of November, and you can find the link to donate here.