Hi.  My name is Jim Anderson and I am lucky and blessed enough to say I HAD Type 2 Diabetes.

March 1, 2011 I weighed 367 pounds and I was sick.  I found myself in New York City with my family trying to keep up with them while walking around the city.  I discovered that I was unable to participate in life with my wife and daughter.  I was unable to travel comfortably, as my job required.  My doctor said we had reached the tipping point that controlling my "diet" (which was a joke) was no longer working so I was going to start on a course of oral medication to control it.  This is not what I wanted to hear.  That started my journey to where I am today.

I now weigh 277 pounds.  I'm losing around three pounds a month.  Part of my weight loss journey has included biking and joining the gym.  The great team at my gym, Best Fitness in Schenectady, New York, have helped me with the weight loss and also increase my strength and cardiac health.  A couple of weekends ago I saw the brochure for the Tour de Cure and signed up that day.  I was close to getting the bike back out for the spring, summer and fall and I figured what a better way to get motivated than training for a long ride.  What I soon discovered is that this is more than just training for a bike ride.  This is my way to give back to an organization that is trying to help cure one of the most insidious diseases known to man.  I am actually embarrassed a little to think that I don't have Type II any more.  There are so many with Type I and II that can't just cure it or don't have the resources at their disposal to achieve what I have been able to achieve.  Then again, maybe my story will show some that they can beat this.  It isn't easy.  But you CAN DO IT.

Please support my continued journey by donating to the ADA.  Your donation can help so many.  I'm just one who has had the ability to beat this disease but I know that if I were to slip back to my old ways, I'm going to end up in the same position I was a year ago.  That WILL NOT happen, but if you can show your support for what I've done, that keeps me motivated to fight the good fight.  Prayers and good thoughts for my ride in June are just as good as anything you may be able to donate, too!!!!!

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Jim