THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL TOUR DE CURE!  THANKS TO YOU, I'VE RAISED OVER $1,000 A YEAR FOR 5 CONSECUTIVE YEARS!

I ride for everyone like me - everyone who has neglected their health for other priorities and woke up one day realizing what they have lost.  I ride as a symbol that you can beat diabetes.  I ride to show others that they can do it, too.  I ride to spread the word that you can do this - if you have type 2 diabetes, you can beat it.  If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, you can avoid it.  If I can do it, you can, too!

Check out my story at Charmed For Life: http://charmedforlife.tv/balance-a1/

Thank you for your continued support of my Tour de Cure Rides!

2013 will be my 5th year riding in the Tour de Cure, and my 3rd year helping to organize Team Red in Philly (the "house" team).  We had a great year last year for Team Red in Philadelphia.  We raised over $28,000 with 84 members!  And we're looking to surpass that this year - building to 100 members and raising over $30,000!

Most of all, I want to thank everyone who's supported my personal fundraising and rides every year.  Over the last 4 years, we've provided over $7,000 in the fight against diabetes!  How wonderful it is that when we pool or resources and efforts, we can make a meaningful difference for such a worthy cause.

My Story

In 2008 I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.  I had a sedentary lifestyle,  I used to race in an amateur cycling team when I was younger, but in 2008 I was in the worst shape of my life and I weighed over 300 pounds!  It was a wake up call.  I thought that if I didn't do something immediately, I'd never be able to go cycling again, I'd miss out on doing what I loved, and I'd miss out on all the other great joys that life still had to offer - like special times with my wife Joya, my friends, and my family. 

So, after almost 2 decades of neglecting my health, I started resurrecting my 15 year old mountain bike and my 22 year old racing bike from the ashes of my younger days.  On my first ride, I literally went around the block, and I thought I was going to pass out.  I got home and laid in front of the air conditioner vent for a half hour.  Joya thought she should call 911.  It was pretty funny, but also pretty sad that I had gotten so badly out of shape.

I kept at it and lost 60 pounds and did my first 63 mile Tour de Cure in 2009.  That really meant a lot.  I was able to get off all my diabetes medications and I was healthy enough to finish the Tour de Cure that year!

Since then, I've been involved with organizing and helping with the Philadelphia Tour de Cure.  I was the Tour Chairperson in 2010, and the Team Red Captain in 2011 and also for this upcoming Tour de Cure.  I'm dedicated to this cause and I help everyone I can who is concerned about diabetes.  I am convinced that you can beat diabetes, but it's not easy.  It's a lifestyle change and you have to keep at it.

Who Else Do I Ride For?

I also ride for loved ones who have been hurt by diabetes:

  Robert Kamahele
  Rod Sakai
  Jim Kabel
  Mom-Mom Barbara Ann Hall
  Gary Grosporean
  and for fellow Team Redder, Frank Morrone - he can't ride in the Tour this year

If we keep at it, we can stop diabetes and its debilitating effect on our loved ones and the millions of others it effects.

Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

k