Local Red Rider, Bobby Trudeau, is Getting His Bike Ready to Be Part of the Stop Diabetes® Movement

Norton resident, Bobby Trudeau, will be taking part in The American Diabetes Association’s movement to Stop Diabetes® by riding in the annual Tour de Cure®. This cycling event is happening on Sunday, May 18, 2014 at the Topsfield Fairgrounds in Topsfield, MA to help raise funds to change the future of diabetes and help stop this devastating disease.

As a type 1 diabetic, Bobby rides in the Tour de Cure as a Red Rider. Red Riders are people with diabetes who are raising awareness of diabetes and raising money to stop diabetes by participating in American Diabetes Association-sponsored cycling events across the country. Representing people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, Red Riders know what it means to have diabetes and they want others to understand that diabetes is a serious disease that can have deadly consequences.

Bobby, 16, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was just 15 months old. “Because I was so young, I don’t remember how my life was before diabetes,” Bobby explains. “I don’t know any other way of living, other than with diabetes, and the thousands of blood sugar checks and insulin doses that have come with it. Living with diabetes presents unique challenges to a daily routine. I check my blood sugar frequently, as many as eight to ten times a day, remember to take insulin for everything that I eat, and all the while reassure my parents I feel good.”

"However, I am not along in coping with the highs and lows of diabetes, because a year after I was diagnosed, my younger brother was diagnosed at 14 months old. On top of that my parents are great advocates for me and my brother, as well as helping us learn how to be independent while living with diabetes. Sports, school, and the life in between are all made possible with diabetes because of the education provided for me by my parents, doctors and many other people who have supported me along the way,” Bobby continues.

Bobby is a Youth Leader for the American Diabetes Association. This is his third year being involved, and it has helped him deal with the challenges he has faced due to diabetes. “Helping to educate those who have diabetes, those who are affected by it, or those who are supported of the cure is the reason I ride with my brother. The Tour de Cure and being a Red Rider make me feel like I am part of something bigger, a national effort pulling towards the cure,” he states. “Participating in the event shows that diabetes makes you strong, that it is an extra challenge in life that helps make you more independent and accepting to new challenges. The ride also shows those who live with diabetes that the balancing of life with diabetes and the extra challenges in life is achieved through support and preparation.”

Tour de Cure is designed for anyone from the occasional to the experienced cyclist with routes from the 15-mile family rides to 100-mile Gran Fondo century rides. The routes will feature rest stops with food to fuel the journey and volunteers to cheer riders on.

The Tour de Cure raises funds for the 26 million Americans living with diabetes through registration fees and pledges collected by the cyclists. To register, cyclists or volunteers can call the American Diabetes Association at 617-482-4580 ext. 3487 or visit us at www.diabetes.org/nsmedia.

The National sponsors of the Tour de Cure are Lilly Diabetes, Primal Wear, Go Macro, and Gold’s Gym. National Teams include Johnson & Johnson, WalMart, Lockheed Martin, Gold’s Gym, Cisco Systems, Dignity Memorial, Bio Rad, and more; Locally by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Summit Partners, Boston Scientific Corporation, and North Shore Magazine; and Regionally by Subaru of New England and Novo Nordisk.  Each Tour de Cure features a variety of routes.  The North Shore Tour de Cure routes include:

100 Mile Gran Fondo- This is an epic route including two timed segments for fantastic prizes, challenging climbs and a variety of terrain in Massachusetts and New Hampshire even reaching coastal views.

62 Mile Route- This challenging route travels through the beautiful North Shore and includes scenic countryside and local communities.

31 Mile Route- Riding this route, you will see picturesque North Shore landscapes with beautiful views and roads.

15 Mile Route- Great for avid and newer cyclists alike, this route will travel through charming North Shore countryside and accessible to all ages and fitness levels.

 “The idea that living without diabetes can be a reality is exciting and the support that events like the Tour de Cure create is how research is provided for and advancements are made towards a cure, so I would like to express my gratitude towards those who support, participate in, and manage the ride that brings a positive out of living with diabetes,” Bobby states.

To join Bobby in this year’s Tour de Cure, please visit www.diabetes.org/nsmedia to register. To visit Bobby’s personal page, please visit http://main.diabetes.org/goto/btrudeau.

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure, and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

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For more information please visit www.diabetes.org/nsmedia.

To schedule an interview with Bobby Trudeau or other North Shore Tour de Cure riders, please contact Jackie at 617-482-4580 or by email at jbialer@diabetes.org.