Why I Ride

I ride for the Tour de Cure because Diabetes sucks. I've seen people close to me suffer from the side effects from Diabetes.

This was my family's Christmas last year. I ride in the hopes that no one else will have to have a Christmas at the hospital. We made the most of it and had a good time. Sometimes you appreciate what you have more when you are at risk of losing it. You also realize what's important and what's not, but I recommend you try appreciating what you have and avoid the whole Diabetes thing if you can.

Diabetes was the 7th leading cause of death according to a 2011 CDC report. However, Diabetes is also the leading cause of heart disease and stroke which makes it the secondary cause of death in a lot more cases (heart disease is the #1 cause of death & stroke is the #4 cause). Diabetes is a leading contributor to 4 of the top 10 leading causes of death.

Total: 25.8 million children and adults in the United States—8.3% of the population—have diabetes.

Diagnosed: 18.8 million people

Undiagnosed: 7.0 million people

Prediabetes: 79 million people

Basically Diabetes sucks big time. Even if you don't contribute to my Tour de Cure campaign, it would make me happy if you would get out and get active. It's one way to give Diabetes the bird.

Livi's page:

http://main.diabetes.org/goto/lriley

Has raised $20 out of $75

Richard's page:

http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/UtahArea?px=7524569&pg=personal&fr_id=8080

Has raised $35 out of $75

My page:

http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/UtahArea?px=3304181&pg=personal&fr_id=8080

Has raised $25 out of $150