Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.
As many of you know, I lost my brother, Danny in December of 2009 to complications from type 1 diabetes when he was just 34 years old. About three years later, we lost my Aunt Marina who was like a second mom to me and my brother. Type 2 diabetes contributed to her passing. Diabetes contributed to the loss of two of the most important people in my life within a very short time. In October we lost my dad to esophageal cancer, but he also had type 2 diabetes. I will be riding Tour de Cure, which supports the American Diabetes Association, in Danny's name and in memory of Danny, Aunt Marina, and my dad. I will also be riding for friends who are currently living with diabetes.
Diabetes sucks. Danny dealt with so much, including COUNTLESS hospital stays, countless surgeries, diabetic retinopathy, kidney failure which led to dialysis and being put on a transplant list for a kidney and pancreas that he would never receive, amputation of toes then eventually his leg, constant pain, a ridiculous amount of daily meds, the list continues and it is endless. Through it all, he endured it all with amazing strength.
December 8th will be the 14th anniversary of Danny's passing from complications from diabetes. How can it be almost 14 years..? Seems so far away, but just like yesterday. Not a day goes buy I don't think about him. I started riding this ride in memory of Danny, but I also ride this ride because I don't want anyone else to have to go through what Danny did; no more lives stolen by this disease. I don't want any other families to have to have to watch their loved ones suffer through what Danny had to. No more lives taken far too soon by diabetes. Many advances have come since my brother passed. Advances that if they came during his life, he might still be with us. Advances partially made possible through fundraising.
This cause is very important to me. I would greatly appreciate your support. Ways you can help/show your support are by making a donation (ANY amount helps, no donation is too small!), joining Team Danny's Touring Turtles and riding and fundraising with me, or even just sharing this page to encourage others to help. Thank you!
I am asking you to support me in the Tour de Cure® because finding a cure for diabetes means so much to me.
I signed up for the Tour de Cure so I can be a part of a bike event that helps change the course for people living with diabetes. I am going to be training for this ride and fundraising too. I have set a big goal, and I hope I can count on you to support me.
Over 37.3 million people are living with diabetes, and I want to help the American Diabetes Association continue its cutting-edge research, advocacy and education by raising critical funds.
I hope you will donate or register and join me and start your own fundraising.
