Grafton resident, Gina Warner, will be taking part in The American Diabetes Association’s movement to Stop Diabetes® by riding in the annual Tour de Cure®. This cycling event is happening on Sunday, May 19, 2013 at the Topsfield Fairgrounds in Topsfield, MA to help raise funds to change the future of diabetes and help stop this devastating disease.
Warner was diagnosed 39 years ago, just before her first birthday. When her husband asked what she wanted to do to celebrate her 40th birthday, she quickly explained how she didn’t want a party. “But what I do want is for our family and friends to ride in the Tour de Cure with me.”
Warner chose to ride for many reasons. “I love to ride my bike and have been participating in triathlons for the last few years with the biking portion always being my favorite. Riding keeps me active and healthy. My children need to see that diabetes is in no way an obstacle and does not need to change your quality of life,” Warner explains some of her reasons. There are plenty of other reasons as well, including all of the diabetics in her family and the desire to one day soon find a cure.
Having been diagnosed in the 1970’s, Warner has seen how far modern medicine has come. “There was no blood sugar testing, no manufactured ‘human’ insulin but [instead] insulin from animals, no insulin pumps, glucose tabs, or CBGM systems,” Warner recalls. “Times have changed and modern medicine and technology were things that my friends and I with diabetes could only dream of when we were kids. It is because of the ADA and their continued research and commitment that those childhood dreams are now a reality.”
The money to fund this research, and more, comes from the help and fundraising efforts of communities across the nation. The Tour de Cure is one of these fundraising events.
Tour de Cure is designed for anyone from the occasional to the experienced cyclist with routes from the 15-mile family ride to 100-mile Gran Fondo, a century ride. The routes all feature rest stops with food to fuel the journey and volunteers to cheer riders on.
As a type 1, Warner rides in the Tour de Cure as a Red Rider. The purpose of the Red Rider program is to support everyone who lives with diabetes, type 1 and type 2, and showcases the courage it takes to live every day with this difficult disease. The Tour de Cure recognizes riders with diabetes as the heroes on the day of the event.
The Tour de Cure raises funds for the 26 million Americans living with diabetes through registration fees and pledges collected by the cyclists. To register, cyclists or volunteers can call the American Diabetes Association at 617-482-4580 ext. 3487 or visit us at www.diabetes.org/nsmedia.
The North Shore Tour de Cure is sponsored nationally by Gold’s Gym, Lilly Diabetes, and Bumble Bee Foods; Locally by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Summit Partners, Boston Scientific Corporation, North Shore Magazine, Mix 104.1, Amp 103.3, and WBZ News Radio; and Regionally by Subaru of New England. Each Tour de Cure features a variety of routes.  The North Shore Tour de Cure routes include:
100 Mile Gran Fondo- This is an epic route including two timed segments for fantastic prizes, challenging climbs and a variety of terrain in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and on Cape Ann.
62 Mile Route- This challenging route travels through the beautiful North Shore and includes scenic countryside and local communities.
31 Mile Route- Riding this route, you will see picturesque Cape Ann landscapes with beautiful views and roads.
15 Mile Route- Great for avid and newer cyclists alike, this route will travel through charming North Shore countryside.
“Participating in the Tour de Cure will show my friends and family, and especially my boys, that when people come together, amazing things can happen,” Warner expresses. “All it takes is one pedal in front of the other and a great attitude.”
The Warner family is setting a great example. The boys are getting their whole school involved by fundraising and providing education about diabetes. “They have monthly school-wide meetings and the boys are presenting diabetes facts to the students and staff,” Warner says. As far as the fundraising aspect, “they will be selling bracelets for donations. The principal approved letting the teachers donate and in return they can wear jeans to school for a week.”
To join Warner in this year’s Tour de Cure, please visit www.diabetes.org/nsmedia to register. To visit Warner’s personal page, please visit http://main.diabetes.org/goto/warnerg.
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.