i Health Awareness Two Riders Go The Distance To Find The Cure For Diabetes (NAPSA)—The fight against : a diabetes means something differ- ent for everyone—andfor some, it means discovering the joy of fi ‘ cycling. Eb a ] 2 3 jill Often, personal health and fam- ily history influence a person’s choice to participate in the Ameri- can Diabetes Association’s (ADA) annual Tour de Cure cycling event. These reasons inspired riders Tom Leonard of Indiana and Eileen Nunley of Maine. Together, along with 32,000 other cyclists, Leonard and Nun- ley took part in an event that provides more than a trophy at the Tom Leonard poses during a ride. future goal in finding a cure—a ride 62 miles in support of the adults and is the fifth-leading a cause that directly affects my life.” finish line. Their finish line has a cure for a disease that impacts nearly 21 million children and cause of death by disease in the United States. Leonard nearly became one of those statistics. Because of a condition known as empty sella syndrome, he gained a massive amount of weight. At 581 pounds, he relied on oxygen becauseofhis body mass and was confined to a wheelchair because he was unable to walk far. He developed type 2 diabetes and recalls feeling as if he were “stuck in this body that was more or less dying.” Leonard knew he had to act, and he chose to start living. He underwent bariatric surgery and added exer- cise to hislife. During his recovery, Leonard rediscovered his joy of cycling, which he credits as helping manage his weight loss and diabetes. His joy of cycling led him to par- ticipate in the ADA’s Tour de Cure cycling event. In addition to being an avid cyclist, Leonard is also a Tour de Cure team captain and plans to association. As Tom says, “This is After losing nearly 350 pounds, Leonard is in control of his diabetes. He no longer requires oxygen or any cardiac or blood pressure medication. Not all reasons to ride are dri- ven by the health of the individual rider. Eileen Nunley participates in the Tour de Cure, which raises money toward finding a cure for the same disease that took thelife of her father. Nunley’s father had been living with type 2 diabetes for 10 years, Eileen Nunley at a Tour de Cure. Desert Island (Maine) ride as well. She explains that “the ride has becomea special, annual connection to my father.” She has recruited other family members to participate in the rideto help find a cure. In 2006, as team captain for teams in both the Kennebunk and Mount Desert Island rides, Nun- ley recruited over 30 riders. Together, her teams have raised over $6,000 for the American Diabetes Association. The Tour de Cure is a ride, not a race, that welcomes people ofall experience levels to participate in a fun event to raise awareness about diabetes. Participants form suffering from complications such teams, raise money andride in an heartfailure. a few miles to challenging 100mile “century”rides. The 2007 Tour de Cure is sponsored by Gold’s Gym, Performance as poor eyesight and congestive In 1996, she met a co-worker who was participating in ADA’s Tour de Cure in Kennebunk, Maine. She wasinvited to join her co-worker’s team and was happy to ride as a way of honoring the life of her father. Nunley not only rides in the Kennebunk Tour de Cure, but she has expandedherefforts and travels to participate in the Mount event with distances ranging from Bicycles, LeMond Fitness, Discov- ery Health Channel and LeMond Racing Cycles—theofficial bicycle of the Tour de Cure. To learn more, call the American Diabetes Association at (800) DIABETES (800-342-2383) or register at www.diabetes.org/tour.
