By Lauren Bryan | Meet Chris - Tour de Cure Red Rider
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, Chris. Chris 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 CHRIS!
"I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 20 years ago. Diabetes impacts so many of us in such a negative way. If I had known how to prevent it a long time ago, I might not have lost my mother when she was just 53 years old and I might not have it myself. I'm proud today to be able to say I've almost completely reversed my diabetes - but I'm not there yet. I've taken up cycling as my primary exercise. I started riding my bike 3 miles around my neighborhood. Two years later, in 2014, I rode my first century (100 miles) in Tour de Cure. And this year I am riding in my third Tour de Cure. Last year I rode my bike over 7,000 miles - every one of them was another milestone in taking back my health.
I started this journey in July 2011, weighing 434 pounds. Today I've lost 175 pounds and am well on my way to recapturing my health. The key for me has been to track every single thing I eat by using the application MyFitnessPal. This keeps me conscious and aware of every calorie before I consume it. Personal accountability keeps me motivated and on track.
I always thought it was too late, but it's definitely not! It's never too late. I encourage everyone to start where they are and build from there. Eat less - move more. Simple, but definitely not easy." - Chris, Red Rider
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