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.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Cyclebetes at Halifax Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes
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, June 11, 2010
Friday Rant
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.
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.
Monday, March 29, 2010
A Promise
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
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
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Great Video
This is great video that talks about the beginings of the Cyclebetes movement.
I am planning to spend a little time and post some new stuff, just need to find that time thing....
Monday, February 22, 2010
Feb 21st Update
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
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
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation News and Updates
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
