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Tiburon Erickson is riding on July 1, 2009 at Sonoma
 

Tiburon Erickson is riding on July 1, 2009 at Sonoma.

Tiburon Erickson's Image

My son Ethan was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 5 years ago.

The diagnosis was heartbreaking. As a parent you try to do everything you can to help your kids and keep them safe. When the doctor said "He has diabetes" my heart ripped in two. They admitted him to the hospital and I spent the first couple of days going through the motions - I completely shut down. On the third day - as I sat in the Forever Young playroom at Primary Children's Medical Center - I had an epiphany. It could be worse - so much worse. There were kids in that hospital that had diseases that were 10 times worse than diabetes. There were kids that would never walk again. Kids that may only live another year, or month, or day. There were kids with cancer and leukemia and congenital heart conditions - you name it. Ethan only had diabetes. We would learn and get control and he would be able to walk and run and play sports and get married and have kids and a pretty normal life.

I changed that day. I had something to fight for. A cause. Some direction. I went home and started doing research - read everything I could get my hands on. We enrolled in studies. We taught him about his disease. And most importantly we found an organization to put our time and energy into. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is our charity of choice. They are the ones that are raising the money and doing the research and finding the breakthroughs that will lead to a cure. Most importantly, they focus on finding a cure for type 1 (juvenile) diabetes. Not education. Not type 2. FINDING A CURE.

This is what the ride entails: I agree to raise the minimum $4200 and they fly me and my bike to Sonoma, California so that I can cycle 105 miles in ONE DAY. I want to point out a few obvious things (so you don't need to):

1. I have never ridden a mile on a bike - much less 105 in one day. Sure I do spin class - but that bike doesn't move. As far as real bikes go - haven't riden one since I was a kid.

2. I am aware that economic times are tough and I am trying to scale a pretty big mountain to meet the minimum fund-raising requirement of $4200.

3. Now that I am signed up I am committed. If I can't raise the $4200 I have to pay it myself.

So there you have it. This is where you come in. I need help. BAD.

I won't be hitting you up to walk with me this year. This is it. This is the Big Kahuna - the whole ball of wax. It all comes down to 105 miles in wine country on one day in June.

Thank you for your support!





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Online Donations
Donor Name Amount of Donation Date Comments
Anonymous $50.00 03/14/2009  
Jan Barron $50.00 02/18/2009 I hope they find a cure real soon :)
Jennifer Bass $50.00 03/12/2009
Phil & Christi Belle $25.00 03/26/2009 Good luck to you from Phil, Christi, Matthew, and Baby Emily!!!
Anonymous $25.00 01/19/2009  
Chris and Crystal Bos $100.00 01/19/2009 Well, well! I said I would throw in money to see your bum get sore if you did it! ;) Good Luck Tibs!
Ryan Boyle $20.00 03/11/2009 Good luck on your ride, Tib! Type I diabetes is in our family, too. This is a cool way to work toward a cure. Kate (from the gym)
Carolyn Buchan $50.00 02/05/2009 Good luck Tib! What a great inspiration you are to others.
Anonymous $100.00 03/10/2009  
Melissa Catmull $20.00 04/27/2009 Tiburon - I was walking through downtown Salt Lake and this bum had fallen asleep and left his cup of change out. So I grabbed it and ran. I added it to the money that I found in the sofa cushions and the loose change in the laundry. I hope this is the $20 that finds a cure! With all the love in my cold, black heart. Melissa Catmull.
Mindi Clove $100.00 01/19/2009 i luv tib & ethan
Kati Cole $100.00 03/22/2009 Ride like the wind, little shark, ride like the wind.
Steven Cowart $100.00 01/19/2009 Hey Tibby- Good luck! -Steven & Brenda
Ruhiyyih Dannells $35.00 02/02/2009 You go girl!! You inspire me SO much!
Anonymous $25.00 04/08/2009  
Holly Duenas $20.00 02/22/2009 I love ya and admire what you are doing for this amazing cause. Good luck on the ride! Go Tib!
Bob & Barbara Ekblad $100.00 03/18/2009 Go get 'um Tib.
Brian & Karen Erickson $250.00 03/15/2009 We're praying for a cure. All the best on the ride.
Tiburon Erickson $100.00 01/18/2009
Jamie Garner $20.00 01/31/2009 GO TIB! GO TIB! RIDE BABY RIDE - you can do it!
Jessica Gaulden $50.00 03/23/2009 Good luck!
Regan Golding $20.00 04/14/2009 It's the best I could do, but I told you and myself I would do it, so here I am. Good Luck! You will do great!
Sarah Gurney $20.00 03/14/2009 Good luck Tib! I hope you reach your goal!
Ammie Hammond $15.00 01/20/2009 Good Luck!
Jean-Marie Harms $25.00 04/15/2009 Wow! Look at what you have done! I wish I could do more.
Deena Harris $50.00 03/18/2009
Marv & Martee Hawkins $50.00 03/23/2009 Good Luck!!
Brooke Heaton $50.00 01/20/2009 Good luck, Tib! Way to go!
Anonymous $10.00 01/19/2009  
Lacy Hughes $50.00 03/06/2009
Anonymous $15.00 04/08/2009  
Anonymous $30.00 04/15/2009  
Christina Kadelski $25.00 02/17/2009 Good luck Tib!!
Beth Keys $25.00 04/15/2009 I admire your strength!
Nathan and Rebecca King $25.00 02/01/2009 Good Luck.
Kelly Lambert $25.00 03/03/2009 I am a fan of your blog Tiburon. I am rooting for you! Good luck!
Trevor Lotz $50.00 03/11/2009 Happy to support your cause, Tib. Good luck!
Amy Lummer $10.00 01/27/2009
Shamae Lyon $30.00 04/02/2009 Hey Tib-- Great cause!! Obviously one that is near and dear to my heart. Hopefully they can find a cure soon so kids like Sydney and Ethan can see an end to their diabetes. I hope you reach your goal and enjoy the ride. Take care!
Anonymous $15.00 01/19/2009  
DeDe Malone $25.00 02/19/2009 Dear Tiburon, What a great and worthy cause, you GO girl!!! Love from Lakeside, DeDe Malone
Stacey McAllister $50.00 01/20/2009 I'm so excited for you - this is the opportunity of a lifetime!
Pete McCormick $20.00 04/14/2009 Get r Done Tiburon!
Cari Meabon $50.00 01/20/2009 Go get 'em Tib! You are awesome. And my most favorite employee. And so pretty. And witty. And smart.
Christi Mullins $30.00 01/20/2009 Good luck to you! Love your passion!
Anonymous $100.00 03/04/2009  
Ida Navarro $25.00 03/19/2009 I wish I could do more. I think you are one awesome momma. Go Tiburon! Thinking of you!
Don O'Gara $75.00 03/17/2009 Woo hoo Tiburon!!!
Michele Olmstead $100.00 01/28/2009 You go girl!! We're proud of you. Love, Dad, Michele and Elisabeth
Lori Ousley $50.00 03/12/2009 I know it's not much but I hope it helps. Good luck with your ride, Tib!
Melissa Page $100.00 01/19/2009 Good Luck Tib.
Jennifer Parry $10.00 04/28/2009 Good Luck Tib!!
Lisa Richardson $10.00 03/13/2009 Sorry I can't do more, but know that I love you and will be cheering you on! I'm so proud of you and all you do to fight to find the cure. Ethan is the only "young" person I know with Diabetes and I can't imagine what it's like for him. I hope he knows how much his mom loves him. You go girl. Love ya.
Courtney Riding $10.00 04/03/2009 Best of Luck! Ride well. I think this is a great thing you are doing.
Cadance Rowland $20.00 03/13/2009 e Lots of Luck to you! e love your attitude and dedication!<
Vanessa Schmidt $50.00 01/20/2009 Glamazon is in hizzouse! Go get 'em!
Christina See $25.00 03/17/2009 Good Luck Tib! I hope they find a cure for your sweet boy!! Chris and Jadyn
Deborah Segal (Boyle) $100.00 01/21/2009 Kate Boyle--my new sister in law-- connected me to your effort. Our daughter was diagnosed with Type I last year at age 5. Maybe next year, I'll get off my you know what and participate. However, this year, we're grateful that you and others are doing this, and we are so happy to support you! Deb and Norm Boyle
Ashlee Shaw $50.00 01/20/2009 Go Tib!!! I think what you are doing is absolutely wonderful. The fact that they are so close to a cure is very encouraging. I think this is a great thing you are doing. Good luck! Ashlee
Sherrie Shepherd $25.00 01/20/2009 Good luck!!
Erin Smith $50.00 02/24/2009
Rebekah Smith $30.00 04/14/2009 You rock Tib!!!!
Ali Sommer $20.00 03/12/2009 Good luck! I think you will be fantastic and I'm sure have loads of fun!
Dave Sorensen $100.00 02/26/2009 Good Luck. This will be alot more difficult than kick boxing class, will be very satisfying though
HOLLY THATCHER $50.00 04/14/2009 Yay Tib! You are almost there! I will be praying for you on your ride. I am amazed at all you do!
Anonymous $15.00 04/08/2009  
Arianne Thompson $20.00 01/19/2009 Good luck!!!
Rychelle Tomlin $50.00 01/26/2009 good luck, tib! i hope you have padded pants.
Garrett & Hayley Ward $50.00 04/08/2009
Chelsea Watts $50.00 04/10/2009 Good luck Tib!
Anonymous $100.00 03/21/2009  
Anonymous $15.00 02/11/2009  
Laura Western $50.00 01/23/2009 You go girl! I appreciate all that you do to help JDRF! Have fun! Laura Western JDRF Ex. Director
Bren Whisenant $10.00 03/04/2009 Good Luck! You'll do Great..
Beckie Wirth $40.00 01/19/2009 Congratulations! You can do this. You have so much determination. Good luck.
marc bigelow $50.00 06/29/2009
Anonymous $50.00 01/21/2009  
Anonymous $10.00 01/19/2009  
Tanja rtherbig@msn.com $20.00 01/24/2009 Tib-I think you are an amazing mother and you have a heart of gold! I wish you the best. Lots of luck-


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