'Tour de Cure' raises diabetes awareness

LAKEWOOD RANCH — With family members who are fighting diabetes and as a former diabetic herself, Mary Ellen Fortier has over the last 20 years become familiar with the affects of diabetes.

But one new statistic made even Fortier gasp.

“More people die today from diabetes complications than breast cancer and AIDS combined,” Fortier said. “It has become a growing epidemic in the United States, and most experts believe it goes hand-in-hand with the growing epidemic of obesity in this country.”

So this weekend, Fortier, who is controlling her disease through diet and exercise, will gear up this weekend to raise awareness of the disease and raise funds for finding a cure, as the American Diabetes Association hosts its annual Tour de Cure event held April 1, on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

Bike riders of all skill levels can participate in the ride, which offers four distance options — 10-, 35-, 62- and 100-mile rides. Registration costs $25 per rider.

“It’s very exciting,” Fortier said. “This is a fun day. It’s a ride, not a road race. It’s a family event.”

Event-goers, whether riding or just stopping by, will be able to speak with professionals about diabetes and take tests to determine if they are at risk for the disease after the ride, Fortier said.

Fortier said Tour de Cure not only is meant to raise funds for diabetes research but also awareness about the diabetes, which is a group of diseases characterized by high blood-sugar levels that stem from the body’s inability to produce insulin and/or use it correctly.

Type 1 diabetes, often called juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes, affects the lowest number of people but is the most severe form of the disease. An individual affected by it has a pancreas that does not produce insulin on its own.

With Type 2 diabetes, which usually starts later in life, the pancreas still works, but the body is resistant to the insulin or is unable to use it, causing blood sugar spikes and other problems.

Diabetes, especially left uncontrolled, will attack the body’s internal organs, causing problems such as heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and even amputations, Fortier said.

“Today, there are more than 26 million Americans living with diabetes, and one-quarter million just in the Tampa Bay area,” Fortier said.

For more information, visit www.diabetes.org.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

TOUR DE CURE
WHEN: April 1
CHECK-IN/RIDE TIMES: For 100 miles: 6:30 a.m. check-in and 7:30 start; for 62 miles: 7:30 a.m. check-in and 8:30 a.m. start; for 35 miles: 8:30 a.m. check-in and 9:30 a.m. start; and for 10 miles: 9:30 a.m. check-in and 10:30 a.m. start.
WHERE: Lakewood Ranch Main Street
COST: $25 per rider
BENEFITS: American Diabetes Association
REGISTRATION: http//diabetes.org/swfloridatour