dougpapciak.com Blog

Support me or Join me as I unicycle against Diabetes

Date: May 17, 2010

Web Link:

Click Here to to combat diabetes!

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

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

Are you looking for a challenge? Perhaps a goal to set that will help you keep focused toward getting in shape or the opportunity to give back to the community while having a great time and getting some exercise? Why not sign up for the Atlanta Tour de Cure???

There are several distance options available so that people at any fitness level, or age can participate. You know you want to do it. Sign up online today or come to our kickoff event, details below:

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

Howdy,
I guess I’m an overachiever and should probably find a support group or something. We haven’t even had the wrap up celebration from the 2008 Tour de Cure and I am already trying to raise money for the 2009 event.

My new fundraising page is at:
$Click Here$
It looks just like the old one for now…just lest money on the board.

Friends and colleagues,

Thank YOU for supporting me in the Diabetes Tour de Cure!!! After a year as the number 3 individual fundraiser and 3 (maybe 4) years as the number 2 fundraiser, it is great to finally grab that top spot by a HUGE margin (see results below released last evening). It is through YOUR generous donations and continued support that I am able to be such a successful fundraiser. All I had to do was ride a unicycle for 31 miles.

We got close, but the number one team spot was taken by Sciele, a company that depends on people with diabetes to succeed. Team Bank of America came in as the number 2 team with a respectable $19,000 collected for the American Diabetes Association. We’ll get that number one spot…or get really fit trying.

But this is a fundraiser to help people, right, not a competition??? This is very true. But, by raising the bar of what it takes to achieve the top individual and team spots, we encourage and inspire others to ride, recruit, collect, and perhaps donate more. That is what motivates me to continue striving to do better. So, you tell me, what can I do to raise the bar for next year? 

If you donated in a previous year and “meant to” donate this year, it’s not too late. I understand you are busy and on a limited budget. I respect your time and money.
Donate online at: http://main.diabetes.org/goto/doug

My friend Chad posted some great YouTube videos of us training for the event and the actual ride. Enjoy!

Video
Event day video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXrTn2FeKeM
Say no to Crackberry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLej5z93Eqg
Robert LIVE TV FACEPLANT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orfi40gZD_w
Busted by the cops: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTYkQjt1hyg
KI4VDU Unicycle Mobile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utFjylQrgBQ

Photos (more to come)
http://www.dougpapciak.com/photogallery/TdC2008/

Blog (ongoing)
http://www.dougpapciak.com/

I’ll send another update after the awards ceremony and tax information in early February.

Thank YOU for your support! Doug (official results below)

Doug
http://main.diabetes.org/goto/doug

From: Metro Atlanta Tour de Cure [mailto:kcross@diabetes.org]
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 6:33 PM
To: Papciak, Doug
Tour de Cure Final Numbers
Thank you for your participation in the 2008 Tour de Cure. Your donations in support of the Tour de Cure total $371,000 – this is $21,000 over our 2008 goal of $350,000! The funds that you have raised will help fund programs, education and advocacy for the more than 750,000 people with diabetes in Georgia. We appreciate your efforts and look forward to seeing you in the near future or at Tour de Cure 2009.
Top 10
The following people and groups make up our top 10 teams and individuals for Tour de Cure 2008. Please join me in congratulating the following for their outstanding efforts!
Top 10 Individuals
#10 – Bill Barnett – Team Gold’s Gwinnett – $2,771
#9 – Sandy Pangle – Team JJG – $2,975
#8 – L. Heiser – Hitachi/Heiser – $3,000
#7 – Leo Gentile – Team JJG – $3,125
#6 – Floren Ansley – Team JJG – $3,271
#5 – Woody Ramsey – Sciele Pharma – $4,075
#4 – Ed Schutter – Sciele Pharma – $5,450
#3 – Chuck Hrushka – Sciele Pharma – $5,600
#2 – William Kincaid – Alimera Sciences Flyers – $6,625
#1 – Douglas Papciak – Bank of America – $11,616
Top 10 Teams
#10 – Team Geosyntec – $7,445
#9 – Alimera Sciences Flyers – $7,895
#8 – RED Riders Team – $9,646
#7 – Aetna Health Riders – $10,687
#6 – NS Thoroughbreds – $11,376
#5 – Team Lockheed Martin – $12,917
#4 – Team JJG – $14,416
#3 – Cox Enterprises – $14,906
#2 – Bank of America – $19,008
#1 – Sciele Pharma – $24,530

Congratulations!!

THRIVING WITH DIABETES

Could Your Dad’s Health Be in Jeopardy?
This Father’s Day, show dad you care by encouraging him to assess his risk for diabetes or other diabetes-related complications such as heart attack or stroke. More than 10 percent of all men ages 20 and over have diabetes. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, can come on so gradually that nearly a third of men with diabetes don’t know they have the disease until they develop one of its serious or deadly complications such as heart disease and stroke.

“Research has shown that many times men do not go to the doctor unless they are sick or have symptoms such as pain or fever,” commented Peter Sheehan, MD. “Unfortunately preventive care and routine check ups are usually tabled for ‘another time.’”

It’s time for a check up if your dad is:

overweight or obese
smokes
is physically inactive
has high cholesterol, blood glucose, or blood pressure
older than 45
is from a high risk ethnic population (e.g., Non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and American Indians and Alaska Natives)
if type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease run in your family
Here are some suggestions to start that check up discussion with your dad this Father’s Day:
1) This won’t hurt a bit – A good place to start is ADA’s online tools. These include the Diabetes Risk Test, Diabetes PHD, and CheckUp America. If any of these tools indicates a cause for concern, you may want to talk to dad about going to see his health care provider. These tools will also help him create a list of questions that he can bring to his appointment.

2) Because I care – Let dad know that his health is important to you. Often we think our fathers are invincible and smart. Fortunately dads are smart enough to recognize that they aren’t invincible. Give your support to your father as he takes steps to be proactive about his health. The smallest chat with a health care professional can make a big difference when it’s about preventative measures, such as weight loss, diet change, or regular medical screenings. Dad may not be invincible, but you can help him adjust his actions so that he is as healthy as possible.

3) Look at the family tree – Knowing your family history can help shape your family’s future. Talk with your dad about the importance of family history when it comes to your health and the health of your children. Family history plays an important role in recognizing potential concerns or genetic links. The more you know about your parents’ health, the better you and your doctor will be able to map out health goals for you and your children.

Remember, your dad may still be invincible to you, but nothing says “I love you” like showing him that you want to keep him healthy and vital for years to come.

Good news. The ATL 2008 Diabetes Tour de Cure Planning Committee met last night. So far, the event has generated > $359,000 in donations for the American Diabetes Association. This money will be used for diabetes research, education and advocacy. Great job to all the great folks who participated in the 2008 Tour de Cure, wherever you are.

I am still working on fundraising and matching gifts before the June 20th deadline.

Join my team or support me: Click Here

Howdy,

5 of us did 31 miles on a unicycle for the Diabetes Tour de Cure. I have some great video links that my buddy Chad shot and posted below.

Fundraising link: http://main.diabetes.org/goto/doug

Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utFjylQrgBQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTYkQjt1hyg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orfi40gZD_w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXrTn2FeKeM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utFjylQrgBQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9z5k6t-Id8