Why the “Tour de Cure”…Why “diabetes”? There are SO many diseases…
I have been getting these question for years!
Why do you raise money for the American Diabetes Association?
What is so special about the Tour de Cure?
Do you have diabetes?
To be honest, I came across the American Diabetes Association and Tour de Cure quite by accident. Our company had a cycling / fundraising team that participated in the Tour de Cure, the MS 150, March of Dimes, Strides and some other events. Tour de Cure WAS just another event on the list.
I got really tired of asking people for money. I don’t much like asking people for money to start with. It got to the point that when I was walking down the hall people would hide knowing I was going to ask for money or blood (literally). So, I committed to my donors that I would only ask them for donations ONCE a year. That explains why I only fundraise for one event.
Why diabetes, though??? When I decided to limit myself to one fundraiser per year, I looked at the numbers. At the time, about 400,000 Americans had MS. But, 21 MILLION Americans had diabetes and 6 MILLION of them didn’t even know it yet. Since my numbers are old, I decided to look at Center for Disease Control statistics as I write this:
“Diabetes now affects nearly 24 million people in the United States, an increase of more than 3 million in approximately two years, according to new 2007 prevalence data estimates released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This means that nearly 8 percent of the U.S. population has diabetes.”
What is so special about the Tour de Cure? It is the only event that I know of where, while raising money and awareness to combat the disease, participating in the event and pre-event training can substantially lower your chances of contracting the disease or help you better manage the symptoms. We raise money, awareness, fitness and general health…THAT’S WHAT IS SO SPECIAL.
Do I have diabetes? Not YET! But the statistics above speak for themselves. I have a 1 in 10 chance of developing the disease just by being an American! The odds are further stacked against me by a family history of the disease and the general lack of activity in our lifestyles. My chances of developing diabetes rise each day I get older and with each pound of weight that somehow comes in and refuses to leave:-)
For me, participating in the Tour de Cure is simply self defense.
Have YOU taken a diabetes risk test lately?
Risk Test:
Click Here for the risk test
Doug Papciak
Atlanta Tour de Cure Early Bird Registration / Kickoff Event
Discounted Early Bird registration for the Atlanta Tour de Cure is available through February 22nd, 2009.
TODAY – $15 Registration Fee
February 23rd – Registration increases to $20
Register Online:
Click Here to register NOW! You know you wanna do it.
2009 Kickoff Event –
Kickoff Event:
Time and Place Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Location: Five Seasons Brewing in Sandy Springs
Street: 5600 Roswell Road
City/Town: Sandy Springs, GA
Event Info:
Click Here for event flyer
Facebook users, become a FAN of the Atlanta Tour de Cure. This will keep you posted on the exciting new improvements we have made to the 2009 event!
Fan Page
Click Here to become a FAN of the Atlanta Tour de Cure :
I look forward to seeing you at the Kickoff Event and at The 2009 Atlanta Tour de Cure!
Doug
Atlanta Tour de Cure on Facebook and LinkedIn. What do YOU think.
Happy Monday,
For the first time, the Atlanta Tour de Cure is using social networking to raise awareness about OUR event. We now have a Facebook presence and a group on LinkedIn. Let me know what you think and how we can improve1
Doug Papciak
Facebook:
Click Here for our Facebook contact!
LinkedIn:
Click Here for our LinkedIn Group!
