Mike Howard is riding on October 18, 2008 at Death Valley.
Hello! This year, I'll be taking part in JDRF's Ride to Cure Diabetes in Death Valley again, along with hundreds of other Riders across the country, as we try to reach our goal of raising $3.2 million. I'm 0 for 2 in the valley. But as difficult as it is it's easy compared to a life as a diabetic. I'm just going to be uncomfortable for a day.
My daughter Taylor has been a Type 1 diabetic since the age of 4. Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes, is a devastating disease that affects millions of people a large and growing percentage of them children.
I don't just ride for Taylor, I have a few family and friends who are insulin dependent. Melissa is a family friend diagnosed a couple years ago at 5. Hunter is a friend of Brandt's (12.) His parents love letting him come to our house - we know how to take care of him too. Josh the explorer has been diabetic since infancy. I think he's the first person I've see go too low, lethargic and almost completely out. I have at least a couple fantastic diabetic friends on the bicycle team. My father-inlaw is also a type II diabetic. I also had an aunt who lived with diabetes all her life. Near the end of her life she had diabetic related difficulties with her feet. As they deteriorated they kept removing toes. Unfortunately, unless we get this figured out they'll all have a shorter lifespan and will have some complication in their future.
* 4/2008 UPDATE another family friend diagnosed. She's an adult and taking shots at the moment to control things.
There is some good news, though. For the first time, scientists are predicting that we CAN expect to see a cure well within our lifetime!
Now, more than ever, you can make a crucial difference. Won't you please give to JDRF as generously as possible? Together, we can make the cure a reality!
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