Tour de Cure Cycling Event

The purpose of the Red Rider program is to support everyone who lives with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and showcase the courage it takes to live every day with this difficult disease. It's time to celebrate those with diabetes who get on their bikes and ride! The Tour de Cure recognizes riders with diabetes as the heroes on the day of the event! 

Being a Red Rider means...
That you are not alone.  With hundreds of riders who may share a similar story, and hundreds more to support you, being a Red Rider can help with your first step or your millionth- in your fight to live a healthier life!

We are thrilled to highlight Red Rider, Betsy.  Betsy and all our Red Riders remind us why all of our hard work with fundraising is so important.  Every dollar raised helps us get that much closer to our mission; to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.  The funds raised through Tour de Cure support advocacy, research and education efforts in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

MEET BETSY!
"Why I ride?!

I weighed 392 at my heaviest. I was a Type 2 Diabetic taking 3 shots a day and a handful of other prescriptions meds. This went on for almost 10 years. 

July of 2011 I decided I was done. I was ready to do whatever I had to do to change. I was ready to LIVE. And be healthy. 

I am now 46, weigh 165 and I am no longer a Type 2 diabetic.  I started this whole process of changing my lifestyle to see if I could REALLY reverse Type 2 diabetes.I no longer just wanted to survive with something that I was being told I had the chance to reverse. And I had to try to reverse it since I hadn't paid attention over the years when they warned me to change my ways... 

We with T2 have at least a shot at trying to reverse the disease. 

I started eating less, eating healthier and moving more. That's it. That's what I have done to the best of my ability the last 1,200+ days. It's been a lot of hard work, but so, so, so worth it!

I am PROUD to ride and raise money for this great organization and for my 3rd Tour de Cure for several reasons

1. It's a fun event on a beautiful course!  Well run, safe, family-friendly, super volunteers -- it's a great riding event for anyone of ANY level.  
2. I relied heavily on American Diabetes Association resources when I was first diagnosed and I want to make SURE that those resources are available for others who need the help.  
3. This hard-working organization also works to fund and find a cure for Type 1 diabetes AND they have a great program to make sure children with Type 1 in schools have trained providers who can help with diabetes care when they aren't with their families.  
4. Who doesn't love a great day, in the sun, with friends, on their bike?!
   
   Come on!  Join me at Tour de Cure on July 25!  It's fun for everyone of all ages and riding abilities!"
   - Betsy

Thank you for your support of Tour de Cure. 

Links:

• 2015 Oregon/SW Washington Tour de Cure