Mary's Personal Page

My 18 year old cousin Bess does not remember her life as a "healthy" child.

Bess was just 4 when she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Bess is kept alive by the blessing of insulin through an insulin pump that is attached to her body  24/7. Even with the pump, which must be reinserted under her skin every three days through a painful process, it is a daily battle of finger pokes, needle injections and constant food monitoring. The daily emotional and physical pain to maintain good blood sugar levels is relentless for Bess and others like her with T1D. Not to mention the setbacks with seizures, followed by terrifying ambulance rides and hospital stays. Insulin is not a cure--it's just a treatment. Without it, life expectancy is limited to days.

Upon diagnosis, my cousin Rose made a promise to herself and her daughter Bess.  Rose promised to do all she could to help find a cure.  That included raising money and support through the annual Ride to Cure Diabetes event. Sadly, Rose can't keep that promise this year as a brain tumor took her life last November.  Along with the grief of leaving a wonderful husband and 3 beautiful daughters, she was sad to leave behind her unfinished promise. As a mother of two healthy girls and a special bond with my cousin Rose and her family, the promise has to be finished. I promised Rose before she died that I would carry on her legacy to raise funds, ride endless miles, and do whatever it takes to help find a cure for Bess and the millions of others just like her.

In September I will be cycling 100 miles in the beautiful yet brutal rolling hills of Nashville, TN along with Rose's dedicated JDRF teammates and hundreds of other riders in the Ride To Cure Diabetes.

As the ride planners noted, "...this is going to be a challenging century ride. Advanced riders will find it challenging, intermediate riders will likely find it one of the hardest rides they had done, and more than a few beginners will find themselves in over their heads." Well I am a novice, but am inspired by the dedication and passion my cousin Rose had for taking on this challenge numerous times before me. In fact, the last event she rode was just 2 months before her passing. Rose was paralyzed on the entire right side of her body, but she took the challenge head-on by riding 12 miles in a specially designed recumbent bicycle.

I can do this - and I will for Bess, for Rose, and for all the other children that have to face this diagnosis. Please donate to my fundraising efforts to help find a cure. Remember, it's 100 miles, one day, on a bicycle. Not an easy day- but neither is one when you have T1D.

Ask your employer to match funds!

Did you know that:

• T1D is an autoimmune disease that comes on suddenly and strikes both children and adults at any age?
• T1D has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle?
• Those living with T1D must carefully balance insulin doses with eating and daily activities throughout the day and night?
• Those living with T1D must test their blood sugar by pricking their fingers for blood 6 or more times a day?

As the leader of the type 1 diabetes community, JDRF unifies global efforts to cure, treat and prevent T1D.  JDRF will not rest until T1D is fully conquered. Won't you please give to JDRF as generously as possible?

Thank you for your generous and tax deductible support!

Most sincerely,

Mary Hubbell

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