Please Support Me in Tour de Cure!

I am again participating in the American Diabetes Association's annual Tour de Cure event this year.  After concluding a clinical research and development career spanning more than 25 years, I am continuing my personal support toward the advancement of diabetes care by participating in this event.  Please support me with a donation by selecting the red "Donate to Jane" button and following the directions.

Each mile I ride, and the funds I raise, will be used in the fight to Stop Diabetes.  The dollars we raise for the American Diabetes Association fund research, provide services, and give voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes.  More than 26 million Americans live with diabetes, and your support can and will make a difference in their lives.

CHALLENGE!!:  Help me reach my fundraising goal by June 1st, and I'll ride my 1983 road bike, "Charles" that has a chrome-moly frame and is a "tank" in comparison to my 2012 TREK Madonne 3.1 ("Celeste"); the 2012 has a carbon fiber frame plus current technology and geometry which makes for a much easier and more comfortable ride.  Make me work even harder!!

I am riding this event in memory of my mother, Mary Ann (Prudlow) Gedemer -- a loving wife, mother of seven, grandmother and great-grandmother to many, who died of cardiovascular disease secondary to type 2 diabetes in 2000.  My two oldest children have early memories of watching "Grandma" test her blood and remember the vials of insulin in the refrigerator.  Unfortunately, my two youngest children only know their "Grandma Gedemer" by the stories kept alive by her family.

I am also riding to honor earlier generations of the Gedemer and Latz families that have lived with type 2 diabetes (it's not a late 20th - 21st century phenomenon for our families).  My great-grandmother lost her eyesight to diabetes and my husband remembers his grandmother using Lilly insulin.  I ride on June 8th in support of my generation, a number of whom live with type 2 diabetes, most of the remainder live with long-standing prediabetes - the "diabetes cloud" always looming, and for future generations, that they might benefit from answers provided through today's research efforts and be spared the family's diabetes legacy.  And finally, I ride in support of some dear friends who have lived with diabetes for many years.

My "century ride" (100 miles [or, given all the variables currently in play, whatever portion I can muster on that day!]; combination road course and on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway) on Saturday, June 8, 2013 will again be one of "thanksgiving and giving".

I am thankful to be able to ride, to be able to continue giving to the fight against diabetes by participating in this event, and thrilled to do so for family and friends, past-present-future, with diabetes.  These people continue to remind me of the priceless value of patience, perseverance, and hard work.

I am asking you to join me in the effort to Stop Diabetes by making a contribution in support of my ride.  Please help by making a donation - large or small - to support the work of the American Diabetes Association.  Whatever you can give will help!  Thank you in advance for your support and may God bless you always!

-Jane