Beamer Cycling for JDRF

Day four Moncton Community Ride

2011-09-07T12:59:00.000-07:00

Megan summed up the Moncton Community ride with this comment, "Mike (LeBlanc) went out made a deal with the devil to create the toughest 200km of road riding and and called a fund raiser."

That being said the Mikes Bike Shop Moncton 200 in support of JDRF is fantastic event, not for the faint of heart (or legs) but a very well organized and supported ride that attracts a around 50 plus riders who have helped raise more than $40,000 for JDRF. When this event comes around next year, and you want to really challenge yourself sign up and give this ride a try.

It was a 6:am wake up call in order to get everyone a little food and loaded into the RV's in order to get to Mikes Bike Shop for a 7:30 am departure. The national relay team joined up with all the riders that had signed up to ride and raise money for JDRF. Mike and his crew at Mike's Bike Shop do a great job of organizing support vehicles and rest stops along the route. They divide the ride into 30-35 km sections, at each rest stop the support vehicles have water, fruit and other snacks in order to refuel everyone for the next section. As well at the mid way point they stop at a restaurant and riders have the option eating there.

Starting out from the bike shop, again the morning was clear, and warm, but with a pretty good head wind blowing for the first 90km till we make the turn toward the half way point. I had a couple of great rides with Megan in the morning and made it into the half way point near the end of the pack.

The next section after lunch is a 30 km ride to a town called Elgin that has a store that sells some of the largest ice cream I have ever seen, which it turns out is just about the perfect food in order to refuel the body and get ready for the next section of hills. By this point I had 140km in for the day and choose to take the next section off. Nothing like a little rest in the RV to get set for the last two sections of the ride.

After taking a little break it was time to get back on road the second to last section was pretty flat with a great tail wind that made it feel like flying. This ride brought use to within 11km of the Bike Shop, all the team riders jumped out (including Megan) to the last "team" ride into the city, a great way to end the day.

We arrived back a the start/Finnish to a surprise visit from my mom and sister and brother who drove over from PEI. It was great to see them and gave us a chance to chat for a few minutes, before they had to head out, and we were off to our hotel for the night. Again Gary made a great supper that sure felt at the end of a very long day of riding.

Day Three Woodstock NB to Moncton NB

2011-09-07T05:20:00.000-07:00

After the great reception followed by a celebration McFlurry then another great dinner cooked by our chief Gary, it was off to the room nice long hot shower and one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in at a hotel.

Day three was another very early morning with the longest riding day of 287 km from Woodstock to Moncton. The day started out with a heavy fog, but you could feel the sun just waiting to burn it off and give us another spectacular day. Temperature was in the low 20's and light winds.

My crew was to ride first this morning, setting off in the heavy fog, there were a couple of detours starting off so a few hill climbs were involved in our early morning ride, but by the time we were an hour in the sun was out and we had settled into a nice comfortable pace line and clicking off some quick kms. Megan and I took over for the second shift of the day and had a great morning ride as the road began to become more rolling hills as we made our way along the Saint John river valley toward Fredericton. I choose to stay on the road for a third shift, who were the quickest group of riders and managed to hang on for the push into Fredericton. It was a great morning full of riding and then time of some much needed lunch.

The afternoon was to bring us out along the river on the flattest ride of the day right along the river outside of Fredericton heading to Moncton. Megan's goal for the day was to reach a 100km ridden since her trip began, with such a nice flat road to ride she and I had a great shift and she blew through the 100km mark to the cheers and encouragement of the rest of the team from the RV and it just happened that the support/photo crew were right with us to record her achievement.

In order to get into Moncton a little earlier to give the teams a little more rest time, we leap frogged the last couple of shifts of the afternoon giving us simultaneous riders cover different parts of the route. It was nice to get into our destination for the night and have time settle in with the team for a great supper and a little time to sit around and chat, including a little sing along with Jay on the guitar, lots of brown eyed girls on this trip so that had to be the first song of the night. Gary pulled off another great evening meal and it was an early night for the crews again as we had to be up and ready to roll for the Moncton Mike's Bike Shop 200km community ride by 6:50am.

Day Two Pohenegamook Que to Woodstock NB

2011-09-03T01:42:00.000-07:00

Day two started early with team one on the road by 6:30am. The day started with a very heavy fog, and somewhat cool. The rest of the team were packed and on the road behind to be ready for the first team switch at the Quebec New Brunswick boarder. Team one rolled in a little cool and wet from the fog that had stuck to helmets, glasses and cloths.

Team switch done and on the road into New Brunswick. Some good hills from the boarder into Edmonston, but the sun burned away the fog and turned in to a great riding day.

Just past Edmonston it was down along the river and some nice rolling ride for team three with Megan, we had a great ride with a solid pace for about 20km.

Teams continued to change in 20-40km intervals throughout the day. Stopping for the odd break, coffee and washroom when we could.

Hardest rides of the day were to be a very hilly section up out of the river valley and heading into Woodstock, had to have you climbing legs on for this stretch.

Just outside of Woodstock all the team gathered up and road in a pack into the Hotel in Woodstock where the Canadian Diabetes Association and our Sponsor Sanofi Aventis had organized an fundraiser and BBQ. It was a real thrill for everyone to ride into a great reception and a chance to chat with some of the local folks from around Woodstock including a welcome from the Mayor.

Evening ended off with a great meal cooked by our chief, shared around the RV's, nice long HOT shower and off to bed to get ready for day three Woodstock to Moncton 287km.

Day One Quebec City to New Brunswick Boarder

2011-09-01T18:41:00.000-07:00

Day one of our relay took us from Quebec City to 40 km before the New Brunswick Boarder. After a very wet and stormy night in Quebec City the morning was bright and sunny with temps in the low 20s and a nice tail wind to push us along.

The full relay team has been divided into three riding groups, I am riding with team 2, Megan is riding with team three, so far I have been riding back to back so that I could be on the road with Megan.

First part of the day took us out along the St. Lawrance river valley, nice flat roads very quite and some of the prettiest areas to ride I have ever seen. Everyone commented on the fact that if felt like cycling through france, with all the pretty little town, with large churches, lots of neat little shops and tidy looking farms all along the route.

Megan had a great first ride with a solid 23km in just under and hour, so far everyone has enjoy riding with her. She finnished up with a very hilly ride comming into our ending spot for the night. Total distance on the day for her a little better than 35km. Great start.

The final 60km of the ride was very hilly section, with was a real test to the last two teams of the day, but just made the shower and supper that much better. In the evening we had a chance to eat supper as a group (cooked by our on ride chief) and time to sit around a chat. Cool to find out why everyone was doing this ride.

Early bed as another very early start in order to make our next stop in Woodstock in time to arrive during a fundraiser being put on in our honour.

Ready to Go

2011-08-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

Well after months of planning, training, fund raising and prep Megan and I are almost ready to leave for Quebec City to join the 4whatmatters National Cycling relay. We will be cycling from Quebec City starting on Wed Aug 31st and finishing in Digby NS on Sunday the 4th of Sept during the Digby Wharf Rat Rally.

We are both so thankful to everyone that has made donations, both big and small and supported us in so many way. We are very proud of the fact that we have raised just shy of $5,000.00 all of which will be given directly the Montreal based research project that we have chosen to support. There are some earlier post that talk about Dr. Sylvie and her team and I encourage you read about her work and the great team she has around her. I had the opportunity to visit the lab a couple of weeks ago in Montreal and I am convinced her work will lead to something great for Juvenile Diabetics.

Over the next few days of the trip Megan and I will be using various means to keep family and friends up to date on our progress and "life on the road" The following links are social media we intend to use, including this blog.

http://bit.ly/gjpaDQ

http://bit.ly/fEu3T5

Twitter @Beamerjdrf

www.facebook.com/cycle4 the foundations page

Thanks again everyone and look forward to providing updates as we roll on down the road.

Stephen and Megan

National Relay Ride Update

2011-08-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

Well Megan and I are 7 days from leaving for Quebec City to join the National Relay Team as they make their way across the country. It has been a long summer of prep work including both physically getting some ride time in, which was a challenge in the early part of the spring summer with the weather, to the fund raising.

Megan and I are so thankful to all of those that have provided us with both financial support and encouragement since we first started the planning for joining this year Relay. From family to friends to complete strangers that have given of both their money and time, we are eternally thank full, it is your faith and trust that have helped keep us focused on the goal in hand, finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes.

We are promising to try and keep everyone up to date on our progress, for this final week prior to the ride as well as once we are on the road. A number of social networking tools are being used that will let folks track our progress and get ongoing updates, besides this blog, there are a number of tools listed at www.4whatmatters.com.

Over the last few days I have been doing a count down on my face book profile, the following is today's;

In 7 days Megan and I will be leaving for Quebec City to join the National Relay with www.4whatmatter.com and start our ride back to Nova Scotia. In respect to those 7 days here are 7 things that my daughter hates about diabetes;

1. The way some people believe that she or her parents could have done something to prevent her from becoming Type 1 diabetic.
2. Always having to do a finger poke to draw blood to test blood sugar levels 5-10times a day
3. Fruit Punch - especially at 3:am to treat a low blood sugar
4. Having to explain to a teacher/karate judge etc that the alarm that went off is not her cell phone but her insulin pump
5. Carrying a bag full of supplies, blood tester, insulin, pump infusion sets, a scale, extra lancets, alcohol swabs...
6. Weight all her food.
7. The belief (by those that don't know her that there are things she cannot do! Run track and field, play fiddle, blue belt in karate, straight A student.....Cycle from Quebec City to Nova Scotia

http://www.4whatmatters.com/champion/champion.aspx?asset=266

Halifax Waterfront Spin

2011-08-03T11:24:00.000-07:00

Seems like forever since I updated this blog. Not really sure where the time is going but summer is speeding by. Megan and I are well into our preparations for the National Relay coming up in just under a months time. Flights are booked to Quebec City, fundraising is coming along, and physical prep is pretty much there, though at this point not much I can to be any more ready (short of finding a way to roll back a few years off the knees).

As part of our fund raising efforts we held a stationary spin event down on the Halifax waterfront last thurs the 28th of July. We had a great setup and we were right next to the ferry terminal, even the weather cooperated a little and it did not rain.

We met a ton of really great folks, from other type 1 diabetics to family members and friends. There were even a couple of people with type 2 diabetes that after talking with Megan, left feeling more inspired to look after themselves, test more and start watching what they eat and exercise more. If for no other reason this event was worth every minute on the bike.

At the end of the day we had collected about $500.00 in donations, spent about 7.5 hours peddling and logged more than 200km on the bike.

Stephen

PEI Tip to Tip Round Up

2011-07-07T10:59:00.001-07:00

Well seems a little hard to believe that after all the planning, organizing and training that it has been almost two full weeks since the PEI TIP to TIP ride.

I have to start by thanking a whole bunch of family and friends that made the ride possible. My In-Laws for getting me to the North Cape starting point the night before the ride, being able to stay in the Motor home over night made getting going in the morning a whole lot better, it was also nice to know that they were back there with an eye on traffic.

My Sister Pat and Brother Mike for all the pre-planning and ride day coordination. You both went above and beyond in order to make sure the million details that needed doing were done. Keeping everything moving on time, setups at the rally points, food and generally making sure I was safe and had everything I needed.

Of coarse none of this would have been possible without the support and inspiration of "My Girls", Tracey, Megan and Abby.

A big thank you to the Maritime JDRF team that made the trek to PEI for the day, and helped out however they could, Marilyn and Lara thanks again.

Thanks to my wife's work and the generous support of our sponsors including the Wharf Rat Rally in Digby http://www.wharfratrally.com/ Magic Lamp Software http://www.magiclampsoftware.net/ to go and all our PEI golf partners, Belfast Highland Greens, Red Sands Golf Club, Mill River resorts, Fox Meadow, Anderson's Creek, Green Gables, Glasgow Hills resort, Glen Afton, Rustico Resort and Stanhope Golf and Country Club.

As luck would have it I choose to ride from the most north/western point of PEI to the south/east, and unfortunately the wind decided to blow straight out of the south/east, at 30km gusting to 60km, which mean we had a solid head wind for the entire day, but such is the luck of the draw, at least the rain held off for the day so staying dry was not a problem, though staying warm was, as the temperature only hit about 12 or 13 c.

Saturday started with a strong breeze, but the rain stopped over night and the sun actually came out for few minutes, took off from the parking lot at the North Cape Light House at 5:55am and began heading south. The first run was from North Cape to Summerside where we were meeting up the other support crew, as well as the team from JDRF and other family. From North Cape to Summerside, I travelled the route 2 which has a very wide shoulder and nice new pavement. Head winds were strong but, we arrived in Summerside in just under 4 hours. Thanks to the very nice folks in the little white car that stopped and handed me a handful of toonies.

After a short rest, food, and refill water bottles it was time to swap out bikes for the trail ride from Summerside to Charlottetown. The Confederation trail in PEI is a great ride, that takes you through some very beautiful country with only very slight grade I think it's less than 2% up or down. One of the PEI Trail guides joined me in Summerside and gave me some company as well as some background about the areas we were cycling through. Stopped in Hunter River (where I lived for a few years) and had a whole bunch of my brothers children and boyfriends and girlfriends show up, it was great to see everyone. From there it was a nice ride into Charlottetown on the trail, which also gave a little shelter from the wind.

The rest of the support crew had gone on to setup in Charlottetown, we had a chance to meet with a bunch of folks that stopped by as well as a reporter from the local paper was there to take some photos and do a story. After about an hours rest it was time to take off again for the final section of the ride, swap bikes again back to the road bike and back onto route 2 heading south east. The wind only seemed to blow harder for the the trip east, I don't think I will ever forget the long hill coming into St Peters with the wind gusting from the side, that I thought a few times would blow me over.

After about 13 hours on the bike and coming into the final few kms it was great of my brother to jump on his bike and ride with me into East Point, it was getting pretty dark, cold and the wind just kept howling, but seeing that lighthouse in the distance slowly get closer felt pretty good.

It was a day I will not soon forget. Can't wait to start planning next years ride that will be bigger and better.

Thanks everyone for the support so far. Megan and I are getting prepared for the next big trip Quebec City to Digby. Sorry it took so long to get this story out.

Stephen

www.cycle4jdrf.com

2011-06-25T14:20:00.000-07:00

we just took a break at the irving on route 2, mt.stewart. we're back on the road again, ready to finish this!

2011-06-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

packing up at the charlottown stop, last stretch ahead!

2011-06-25T12:24:00.000-07:00

today is my tip-to-tip ride in PEI, it has been very windy, and a little cooler than we would've liked it to be. I've been on time to all of my stops so far, hopefully i can keep that up.

Meet the Research Team

2011-06-21T07:52:00.000-07:00

The following posts provide a personal insight into each member of the research team that we feel so strongly about supporting.

Please take a few minutes and read through what motivates each of them and pushes them forward in their work.

To see what we are doing to support them checkout www.cycle4jdrf.com.

Stephen

Genevieve Chabot-Roy - a mothers approach

2011-06-21T07:47:00.000-07:00

As a mother of a beautiful little girl, I truly appreciate the blessing of having a healthy child. I am convinced that the research project we are pursuing in the lab, will eventually modify the treatment of type 1 diabetic children and adults. I expect that this treatment will reduce and maybe remove the daily burden of living with diabetes.

What prompted Adam-Nicolas Pelletier to pursue this research

2011-06-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

While working as a pharmacy technician prior to undertaking graduate studies, I had the opportunity to meet Type 1 diabetics, many of whom were still struggling with their medication. This made me realize that their life expectancy remains severely shortened without development of new therapeutic approaches. I undertook graduate studies with this perspective in mind, and joined a research team focused on finding a cure through the combined efforts of highly qualified personnel.

What's Important to Fanny Guimont-Desrochers PhD

2011-06-21T07:36:00.000-07:00

Because Type 1 diabetes can be treated, we tend to forget the severity of this illness. However, diabetes is very insidious. Even though we can treat the decease, it is still associated with many secondary effects and complications. I have Type 1 diabetes and i perpetually worry about the complications that will strike me in the future. That is one of the reasons my research on diabetes is so important to me. We need to cure and prevent type 1 diabetes for the people afflicted with this disease and for the people they love.

What does Veronique Dugas PhD Think About

2011-06-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

When I think about Type 1 Diabetes, I think about a life threatening disease that affects a growing number of individuals. Because of the accessibility of insulin for the patients, people tend to forget how difficult it can be for children and adults living with this disease on a daily basis. I am doing research on Type 1 diabetes to show patients afflicted with this pathology that I do care about them. In my thesis, i show that a new approach has a high therapeutic potential. Together, we hope to bring this treatment protocol to the patient.

Learn what motivates Erin E. Hillhouse PhD

2011-06-21T07:21:00.000-07:00

Being a Type 1 diabetic myself, I always worry that I will pass on the diabetes susceptibility gene(s) to my future children. It is a known fact that mothers take great pride in protecting their children. By the same token, I take pride in that fact that I am working to ensure that my future children, as well as all Type 1 diabetics worldwide, will be able to lead long, healthy lives, no longer having to worry about the secondary effects associated with this disease.

Meet Roxanne Collin - BSc

2011-06-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

What motivates me to pursue graduate studies on autoimmune diseases such as diabetes is the possibility to merge my interest in both science and the well-being of individuals. I believe that science will succeed in improving the quality of life of people living with Type 1 diabetes by discovering innovative treatment for this disease. I feel privileged that I can be part of this process which gives hope to children and their families.

DIABETES - keeping you humble

2011-06-15T05:42:00.000-07:00

My wife has an expression she uses when our Daughters glucose numbers (blood sugar levels) go "out of whack".

"Just when you think you know everything, you still know nothing."

Immediately after you or some one you care for is diagnoses with type 1 diabetes you go thought the training with the diabetic team (in our case at the children's hospital), they give you lots of guild lines and scenarios to help you deal with activity level, illness and just everyday issues that can affect blood glucose levels. These helpful tidbits are relevant, but the most important lessons we have learned are that no one diabetic is the same.

Some diabetics manage their glucose levels during activity by taking extra carbohydrates based on how long and how vigorous their activity is going to be. We have learned that for our daughter that her levels raise during activity, and then fall for up to 24 hours after, so we are constantly monitoring her all that night, and the next day - reducing insulin level or increasing food intake.

When our daughter developed a flu shortly after being diagnosed, my wife was ready with her instruction on how much extra insulin to give to help keep her glucose numbers down - as typically illness like the flu cause extremely high blood sugars. Not for us! After the initial high sugars the day before she showed any symptoms, her blood sugar level began dropping dangerously low, we we could not deep her blood levels in a safe range. We had to take her to Emergency twice, and the second time they kept her overnight, in order to give her IV in order to raise her blood sugars to a safe number.

Over time you learn to deal with some of the quirks that her diabetes presents. Now throw in all the challenges that come with a thirteen year old, whether she is stressed at school, anxious about an upcoming track meet etc....the game starts all over again. Talking with other parents, it has always struck us how different each family seems to be in their approach and methods of dealing with diabetes, but other than personal parenting choices, diabetes demands an individual plan of attack.

As comfortable as we sometimes get with our Daughters regiment, there will always be something that puts the brakes on. Maybe it is her body's way of preventing us form getting to complacent. It seems that we will always be learning, adjusting and evaluating when it comes to diabetes, which I guess is a good thing. Knowledge in the case is power and research is the key.

We believe that the only long term solution is a cure, that is why we are focusing our efforts on funding a research project we believe very strongly in, to learn more about this project, what we are doing to help fund it and more about Type 1 Juvenile diabetes please visit our website at:

www.cycle4jdrf.com

Volunteers What would we do without them?

2011-06-13T07:06:00.000-07:00

Thankfully there are people who choose to make their profession in the field of helping others, like those that work for charitable foundations like the team at the Atlantic JDRF. It is by times a hard and thankless job, but obviously rewarding as well. They are the backbone of any foundation, most specifically the JDRF in its dedication to being very fiscally responsible with the money raised though it's various events. We cannot thank you enough.

Then there are those who volunteer their time and energy, to help others - invaluable.

On June 12th, 2011 was the annual Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes. Held in a number of cities across Canada. The Halifax walk had a great turn out, and as of the end of day on Sunday, the event had exceeded its goals and raised in excess of $144,000.00 with some donations still to come.

The Walk event is a major fundraising vehicle for JDRF, and the fundraising coordinators are the foundation for organizing the sponsorship, logistics and million other large and small tasks required to pull off an event of this size, and they did a fantastic job! As well like most events, it takes a small army to stage a fundraiser, and yesterday the volunteers were there in a big way.

I understand the call to volunteer for a cause that directly affects you and those you love. That is evident in my family's efforts to support diabetes research and programs. What never fails to impress me and touch me deeply are the number of volunteers who were at the Telus Walk yesterday, giving up their Sunday, (not to mention time spend before the walk), because they wanted to help.

The organizing committee lead by some of the most dedicated and passionate folks I know, Keith, Tabatha, Ron and Ben you did a phenomenal amount of effort and should be very proud of your success.

A big thank you has to go out to the owner of Sunnyside Too in Bedford who provided a pancake breakfast for all the participants at no charge, and cooked up a wonderful meal with his own staff and equipment that he supplied, ensuring that everyone had lots to eat and even had a card breakdown for the food.

There was everyone from teenagers to seniors who were there to "help" with anything that needed doing, from setup, to registrations, as well as keeping kids entertained with games, face painting etc. Their efforts were nothing short of outstanding.

The fact isthat any number of events could not take place without the selfless volunteer, and I would like, on behalf of my family, to extend our most sincere appreciation and gratitude to all the volunteers out there who give of their time so generously.

The next time you are at a fundraiser or community event, take a look around and notice hoe many "volunteer" badges or shirts you see. Then make a point of thanking them for their dedication, I will.

What do you think about "While spending hours cycling?"

2011-06-07T06:37:00.000-07:00

This is a question I have been asked often over the last year or so since I started spending upwards of two to three hours a day, a few times a week, riding my bicycle either on the road or around one of the trails which I recently discovered in the Halifax area.

It can be a hard question, there being so many possible answers. Some days it would be easy, sorting through work issues, planning what needs to be done at home etc, any number of everyday thoughts that being out on the road, for an extended period of time (alone) gives you the chance to ponder and assimilate. The sound of the wind in your ears, the various sounds that your bike makes as you roll across different surfaces, seems to allow me to focus on only those things that matter while clearing out those thoughts that just get in the way.

Some days just seem to click and you feel like you fly and some days are a constant struggle, to get comfortable on the bike, constantly worrying about the traffic, breathing hard, legs feel like lead, not feeling up to another ride or, worse than anything, getting some goofy song or ad jingle stuck in my head, having to listen to it play over and over for a couple of hour - the whole time watching the clock on my bike computer mover by so slow that I am sure I am riding through some time warp that will never end, just wanting to quite and walk it home.

It was on one of these days when every turn of the pedals seemed to be an effort and I was sure that one of the kids had changed my seat position on the bike it was that uncomfortable - one complaint in my head after another - that it came to me. This must be a little bit like what my daughter (and other diabetics) go through every day; an ongoing cycle of blood testing, counting every carbohydrate in everything she eats, administering insulin, changing insulin infusion sites, having to eat or drink even when you may not want to (3:00am low) having blood glucose highs and lows...but unlike me on the bike, she can't just jump off and walk it home. Diabetes does not take a break.

My incentive - that goes without saying - Megan! The proverbial "carrot" - that a cure is attainable through research! Research is expensive and can I really raise enough funds to make a difference? The answer is YES, baby steps.

$1,000.00 = analysis of 50 diabetic blood samples,

$3,000.00 = thorough molecular characterization of the cells,

$5,000.00 = optimization of the protocol for the expansion of human cells in culture,

$10,000.00 = allows a preclinical study in mice, the necessary step prior to establishing a

phase 1 study,

$15,000.00 = testing safety of the protocol in mice before attempting it in humans.

So, I will keep pedaling, one hill at a time, if you can help please use the following link to make a donation that will allow this type of research to continue. http://bit.ly/gjpaDQ

The Day I found out I had Type I Diabetes - Megan age 12

2011-06-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

Diagnosed

The Doctor asked, "What do yo think it is?"

I was October 16th, 2008. My Mom had taken me to our family doctor's office to see what could be causing my extreme, never ending thirst. At first, mom thought it was because the weather was so warm. As the days cooled down, and days got shorter, she noticed that I had been drinking even more than usual.

My mom sighed, and her answer to the question was that she was afraid it was diabetes. Then came the hard part. Dr. Connel, the doctor who has been taking care of my family for years, and who in fact delivered me, had to tell us that my mom was right. I did have diabetes. She called the IWK (children's hospital in Halifax) and told us they would be waiting for us in Emergency.

We went outside and caught the next bus going to the IWK. It was cold outside, and my hands were like ice. When we walked into the emergency room, a nurse told us to take a number and to wait. The ER was warm, and smelled like hand sanitizer and that weird hospital cleanser they clean the floor with. Looking around, I noticed people in worse situations than me. Some people had a broken leg or arm. Others had serious cases of the flu, coughing so hard they couldn't breathe. The difference between those people and me was that, they seemed in a lot of pain, so I stopped pitying myself so much.

Our number was called, and a nurse in yellow scrubs took my blood pressure, heart rate, and pricked my finder with a painful needle. It hurt a little when she massaged my finger until enough blood came out to fill 3 small vials, and then put a bandage on it. Soon an emergency room doctor came in, and told me that having diabetes wan not the end of the world. He told me about some of the famous people and live saving surgeons that have diabetes. He said that diabetes won't get in the way of anything if I don't let it.

I wasn't just diagnosed with diabetes that day. I was also diagnosed with hypothyroid disease that is common with diabetes. It is when your thyroid (an organ in your throat that helps metabolize your food) is under active. It can lead to being overweight, and pills are used to treat it.

The day I was diagnosed with type 1 juvenile diabetes was the day I decided to find a cure.

I needed to start with taking control of my diagnoses. There was a lot to learn, and managing a strict mealtime schedule, along with reading every nutrition label, testing and recording my blood glucose levels and making adjustments to my insulin does was very time consuming. This was my mom's job. There were lots of nights when my parents did not get a lot of sleep - there still are. The thing about diabetes is that it does not shut off when I go to bed. My mom and dad make sure that I am "safe" while I sleep at night, and I will not usually know when my blood is being tested, unless they wake me for what my dad likes to call my "midnight feast" (juice and granola bar) if my sugar levels are low.

Eight months after being diagnosed "Megan's Team" participated in the JDRF Telus walk. Nine months after I was diagnosed I went to Camp Lion Maxwell with 70 other diabetic kids, it was there that I started doing my own insulin injections (4 or more a day). I have gotten a group of kids from my school to do a car wash, and have bake sales to help raise money for research. I have been a youth ambassador for the Telus walk and for JDRF's "Ride to cure Diabetes". This year I am on the Maritime Team with my dad for Cyclebetes - which is a national bike relay from Vancouver to Nova Scotia. My team will be cycling from Quebec City to Nova Scotia.

I am achieving my goals. We manage very good controls on my blood glucose and I am now on an insulin pump. I am doing everything I can to spread the word about diabetes, and to ask for help in funding research that will one day mean I will no longer be Megan Beamish - who has Type 1 diabetes, but instead will be Megan Beamish - who has a miraculous story to tell.

If you can please donate to my fundraising efforts at: http://bit.ly/mPYwXD

If you would like to learn more about the specific research project that all my donations will be directed to please go to: http://bit.ly/fXwijt

Profile of the Research Project we are Supporting

2011-06-01T06:40:00.000-07:00

The main area of research for Dr. Sylvie Lesage's team is to inhibit the specific immune response that is responsible for the destruction of the insulin-producing cells within the pancreas, which leads to type 1 diabetes. Being able to block this specific immune response will provide a major step towards the achievement of a cure for this disease. Currently, the only type of therapy used to block immune response actually blocks the immune system over a broad spectrum, which can lead to a number of issues, including making you susceptible to even a low-grade infection.

Dr. Sylvie Lesage's team believes that they have discovered a way to specifically block the immune attach on the pancreas, thus eliminating the secondary effects caused by a broad spectrum therapy. Using this form of therapy, they strongly believe they will be able to:

1) Prevent the development of the immune attack that leads to diabetes in those individuals that would be most at risk of developing the disease.

2) Halt the progression of the attack in recently diagnosed patients. Since new-onset diabetic patients usually still exhibit some level of insulin production, blocking the attack may allow for the reversal of the damage already done.

3) Finally, for diabetic patients that have lost all insulin production, the hope is that by combining cell replacement therapy with this treatment that blocks the autoimmune response against the insulin-producing cells, they can re-create the insulin-producing ability of the human body, thus curing diabetes altogether.

If you would like to help support this very important Canadian based research team please use the secure donation page located on my profile at http://bit.ly/gjpaDQ

To learn more about the team conducting this research please go to http://bit.ly/fX041U

Prince Edward Island Tip to Tip for JDRF

2011-05-26T11:43:00.000-07:00

Well its official on June 25th, 2011 I will be attempting to cycle from the western tip of Prince Edward Island to the eastern tip in one day. The goal of this trip will be to raise both awareness and funds for Juvenile Diabetes research.

We have chosen to support a specific research project based here in Canada. This project was selected based on having had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Sylvie Lesage the project leader and have her blow us away with the advancements that she and her team have made in achieving the "gold medal" in diabetes research, prevention, care and eventual cure. I would strongly encourage anyone interested to review some of the research she has been doing. http://bit.ly/fX041U

Over the next few days we will be launching a website at: http://www.cycle4jdrf.com/ which will have more detailed information about the PEI ride as well as sponsor pages, and information on how you can track the ongoing progress of the ride as well and importantly a secure donation link. Check back often as there will be lots of detail published to this blog and website.

Thanks everyone.

A Beginning and an End

2010-08-13T10:55:00.000-07:00

One more day till we kick off the National Relay out of Halifax. Seems hard to believe six months has gone by this quickly.

We started today off with a great ride along the south shore with some of the crew and other riders from the relay team. Then everyone was off to get ready, for me back to work to finnish off a few things, while the rest of the team was off to finnish getting the RVs ready and food bought etc.

Three Weeks and Counting

2010-07-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

After all these months of training, countless spin classes, hours and hours on the stationary bike and some time riding the roads it is coming down to less than three weeks. There have been some great events along the way including one last Friday on the Waterfront here in Halifax.

We setup a great display including a Tandem bike and lots for info about Cyclebetes, the national relay as well as JDRF. Thanks to Andrew for bringing the sun covers as well as the tandem bike.

We were joined by members of the local JDRF crew that came out and helped support the relay and promote the community ride set for the 14th of Aug as the relay team gets set to leave Halifax.

We road for about 7 hours with only some short break for food and water. Talked tons of really great folks out walking the board walk downtown, both tourists and locals. We met this one lady from the cruise ship that was in town that was diagnosed with Type I at the age of 54! She came right up to us and showed us here pump, and made sure she donated to the ride.

I really can't wait to meet the rest of the members of the Maritime's team as well as all the great support team we have been working with from across the country. There are just so many amazing people involved with the organization, and everyone of them willing to do what it takes to not only make this a great event, but to raise the money needed to find that cure we all so desperately want. One thing I know is that once the cure for juvenile diabetes if found, all this great dedication and energy will move to the next need. "Type I Diabetes....Done" whats next "Type II....bring it on"

I will attempt to update this more often over the next week or so....

Stephen

Great ride last night, anyone looking for a great loop ride check out http://www.aspotoganpeninsula.com/ some of the best views you will find anywhere in Nova Scotia.

Five Weeks till National Relay Kick off

2010-07-08T09:26:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe that the time has goon this fast. Seems to me that when I first joined the team, the start date seemed so far away. I kept saying to myself, "I've got months to get ready" well those "months" have turned into weeks. Physically I am feeling pretty good. I have had a few good long rides outside, both at the cottage and around home. Still getting used to the feeling of being in traffic, but that is starting to away the more I ride.

Still doing lots of indoor training at my local Goodlife, works well when I have to travel as well as they are everywhere, been kicking some great Spin classes lately, they have some great instructors. Some of the speed work came in handy last weekend, when I was able to find that other gear and get away from a couple of dogs.

Stephen

Fix You

2010-06-20T18:37:00.000-07:00

What an interesting idea...Fix You. No more needles. No more finger pokes for blood tests. No more hospital trips. No more midnight tests. No worries of the longer term health issues. Diabetes Fixed!

I guess this is the dream of every parent, family member or friend of a person living with diabetes. This is what drives us to ask our friends for money to support research, to get involved to raise awareness of what it means to live with diabetes. I guess over the last 18 months all the things that need to be done to keep my daughter healthy, have become so natural in our lives, that when we tell friends, or other people we come in contact with that having diabetes means, a least a 120 injections of insulin a month, 200 finger pokes in order to test her blood sugar, midnight tests, 3:00 am tests they are very surprised. I think a lot of folks they know that insulin is what you take for diabetes so you take a shot and your good. Its not a cure its our life line.

I have just returned from having had the privilege of attending the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Annual General Meeting. Where I met some of the most amazing people, other parents, JDRF employees and researchers, all of whom are so dedicated to the promise of the promise of curing Type I diabetes, what a humbling experience. I encourage you to check out the JDRF website and learn about some of the incredible research work being done in Canada and around the world. www.jdrf.ca

On the theme of Fix You check out the video produced during last years Cyclebetes National Relay, its what sealed the deal for me to get involved and join the ride this year. http://www.vimeo.com/6552324. If it inspires you please donate to http://jdrfca.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&eventID=777&participantID=44593

P.s. What a great Fathers Day. Recieved my home made gold award, a nice long training ride on the new bike this morning, then took both girls out to a local trail for a little family ride then back home for great dinner.

Cyclebetes at Halifax Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes

2010-06-14T06:06:00.002-07:00

What a great Sunday at the Telus walk to cure diabetes this past Sunday June 13th in Halifax. My daughters team "Team Megan" raised a little over $1,100.00 dollars, contributing to the Halifax total of more than $103,000.00. A number of our friends and family were able to join us for the walk.

The Maritime Relay Team setup an information both during the event to promote the Halifax Community ride we are organizing for morning of the start of the National Relay. We setup a couple of bike trainers and spent a little time spinning prior to and after the walk.

The Morning of the Aug 14th we are planning a great kick off at Black Rock Beach in Halifax including a kids bike obstacle coarse, a 5 and 10 km family ride as well as a 100km ride with the team to Truro.

Friday Rant

2010-06-11T06:49:00.000-07:00

Well as any of you that know me know that I am not a political guy, and have always had at least the belief that people elected to run this country were doing it for the most part for the better good. That being said, as a father with a child with a serious health concern (Type I diabetes) I am outraged that the Canadian Government is spending $1,000,000,000 tax payer dollars in order to provide security for the G8/G20 later this month in Ontario, while the country is experiencing health care shortages, funding cuts and forcing hospitals and other service organizations to fund raise money for basic services.

What would $1,000,000,000 dollars to to help cure Juvenile diabetes or at the very least provide essential blood testing/monitoring tools to help manage the long term life with diabetes? How about buying 100,000 insulin pumps, for the children, adults living with Type I diabetes that do not have sufficient medical insurance....that's a start. I somehow see this as a better long term use of money that building a 12 foot fence around a whole of wilderness north of Toronto, or a fake lake. Not only would this provide a better short term treatment, but would continue to save money, as with better treatment and control Diabetics will have far fewer health issues that would lead to even more strain on our health care budgets.

A Promise

2010-03-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about what a promise means, and all the promises I have made and continue to make everyday. From the first I held my daughters there have been thousands of promises made: to teach, to learn, to be there for them and to protect them.

I, like most people, make promises everyday. Most I keep, some I don't and some I can't keep no matter how much I wish I could. Like most fathers, to protect your children is what you do instinctively, then something comes along that no matter how strong you are, no matter how much money you have, no matter how hard you try, you just can't stop from happening; in my case, diabetes was that thing. Since the day I found out my daughter had type I diabetes, I have tried to put a face on this disease; some way to make it something you can fight against. Once you know what you are fighting you can call it out, like in the movies; "Hey you! Yes you! What are you trying to do, hurt MY daughter? Come out here and fight me like a Man." Unfortunately, diabetes is just too sneaky for that. It just kind of slips in, knocks off the pancreas, then sneaks away before you can do anything about it - kind of the worst kind of bully or thief.

There is another meaning to the word Promise, and that is hope. The promise of tomorrow, of Christmas morning, of the future, and that is the promise that I have to try and keep. For me Hope is the meaning I read into the cyclebetes motto of "delivering on a promise." So yes, I promise to do everything I can to help find a cure for diabetes. I don't have the skills to do the research, the lab work or the million other tasks needed to have that "EUREKA!" moment when they can say "We have found a cure!", but what I can do is try and support those people that do have the skill and knowledge to make that happen.

So if that mean spending hours selling raffle tickets, asking for support (money), riding a bike, or pretty much anything else, then count me in! If it will raise the funds needed to keep those researchers working a little longer, or buy that new equipment, or whatever else they need to have that will make that "EUREKA" moment happen, then that is my Promise, my hope, my dream.

Please use this link to donate to Cyclebetes http://jdrfca.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&eventID=777&participantID=44593

Training

Is going well. Still spending lots of time at the gym, spin classes, stationary bike, weightroom and when I can get there Karate. Looking forward to getting outside, soon I hope.

Take care all.

Stephen

Great Video

2010-03-09T12:30:00.000-08:00

This is great video that talks about the beginings of the Cyclebetes movement.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=5382667&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1

I am planning to spend a little time and post some new stuff, just need to find that time thing....

Feb 21st Update

2010-02-22T11:47:00.000-08:00

Well it has been a couple of weeks since I updated this blog, no good reason other than not a lot of news, but I thought I should get something down.

Training

Has been going really well (knock, knock) putting in lots of hours at Nubodys in Dartmouth and Good Life clubs while I have been out of town on business. Typical week looks something like;

Mon/Wed/Fri

40 min of aerobic (cycle, elliptical trainer) then three sets on the resistance training circuit machines.

Tues/Thurs/Sat or Sun

90-100 min of aerobic, mix of cycle and elliptical trainer

Sat or Sun

Rest (oh yeah)

Once the weather gets better I will be hitting the road and logging some longer mileage. Really am going to have to look at getting a good road bike, don't think my hybrid is going to cut the distance.

Kicked off the first raffle on the weekend. Thanks to the folks at Bayers Lake WalMart for letting us set up at the exit. Great start, we sold almost $200.00 worth of tickets. Thanks to everyone that took the time (and money) to enter. Also had a chance to talk to some great folks and give them some background on the Cyclebetes relay.

Well that's it for now; I will try and get some photos up over the next week.

Steve

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation News and Updates

2010-02-02T05:48:00.000-08:00

There are some very exciting projects the JDRF has been involved in leading to improved treatment techniques and insulin delivery. One of the most promising the "Artificial Pancreas" development, http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=2458B97B-1279-CFD5-A70D0580F67A16A9 which is a joint project between the JDRF and Animas Corporation.

About the Artificial Pancreas Project

JDRF's artificial pancreas project stands on the cusp of a breakthrough that represents the first step toward dramatically improving the lives of millions of people with type 1 diabetes: an artificial pancreas, an automated system to disperse insulin based on real-time changes in blood sugar levels.... Full detail about the project can be found at: http://www.artificialpancreasproject.com/

To Learn more about the inspiration for the Cyclebetes National Relay team, you can read all about the original Team H2V 2007, historic and record breaking coast to coast ride at: http://www.teamh2v.com/index.php?content=overview.

Personally:

Training: Indoor training is going well so far, current focus is on slowing increasing my cardio endurance level, partly by teaching myself to go a little slower but for a longer period, boring but thank goodness for the "Cardio Theater" never been more up to date in the news, sports or the View:) Doing 2 to 3 sessions a week of circuit strength building as well, just to stabilize the joints and be prepared for some of those Nova Scotia and New Brunswick hills.

We continue to gather some prizes for the first raffle that should be getting going in the next couple of weeks. (I know I said that last week...). Thanks to my gym Burnside Nubody's http://www.nubodysfitness.com/ for the donation of a three month membership, which will be included as part of the prize package.

Any comments or suggestions for or about the blog please feel free to send them through. If you have questions I will answer as I can.

All the best

Stephen

Event Planning and Training

2010-01-24T18:04:00.000-08:00

Still in the very early stages of planning both my fund raising events as well as putting together a bit of training plan for myself.

I want to thank Pictou Lodge Beachfront Resort http://www.pictoulodge.com located in Pictou Nova Scotia for their donation of a nights accommodation and meal valued at $250.00. This certificate will be part of the prize package that we will be selling tickets on starting hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

As far as the training plan, the next few months will be focused on building my aerobic endurance combined with some basic strength training, in order to prepare for the spring summer outdoor road work. My buddy has promised to put me through what he described as the "hurt locker" on some long rides over the spring and summer. Not really sure what that means but pretty sure it is going to hurt! Better pick up some of those bike shorts with the padded butt.

JDRF Cyclebetes Maritime Team

2010-01-22T06:23:00.000-08:00

The Maritime Provincial Team for the JDRF Cyclebetes Relay has now been selected. You can meet the team at http://www.cyclebetes.com//follow/follow.php?pageID=77.

This is my first time participating in this type of event. I am really excited about participating and feel this is one concrete way for me contribute to helping find a cure not only for my daughter, but for others that also live with Type I diabetes everyday. If you can, please donate on-line at http://jdrfca.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&eventID=777&participantID=44593

I hope to keep everyone updated as to my progress over the next few months while I train for the event as well as fund raise along the way. The plan is to use this blog to report updates and share some stories that hopefully will be interesting and know me most likely funny.

As I move forward I will be tapping into some great resources for advice and support. One of those is Jim Currie. Jim has been involved in a couple of very long distance cycle relays (last years was from British Colombia to Austin Texas) to raise funds for Cancer. Checkout http://www.givetolive.ca/

OK that's it for now.

Steve