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Community Corner

Local Red Rider, Jen Linnane, is Getting Her Bike Ready to Be Part of the Stop Diabetes® Movement

Salem resident, Jennifer Linnane, 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 person with type 1 diabetes, Jen 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.

Jen’s involvement began when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. “I have discovered through the relationships I’ve built, the research I’ve done, and the everyday work I do as a designer that I am not alone in my struggle with diabetes,” Jen explains. “The Tour de Cure allows me to meet new people, with and without diabetes, and forge new friendship with those that ‘get it.’ I ride to raise awareness. I ride to inspire. I ride to make a difference.”

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Jen describes the Tour de Cure as somewhat of a social network. “You share a common goal and vision. The camaraderie on ride day is nothing short of amazing, and it really inspires you to push further to live your life knowing that people care. We all can make a difference, even by just riding a bike, setting an example, and living life with passion and conviction as we embrace the crazy hand we’ve been dealt,” she continued. “”We all have challenges we face every day, but for one day, the focus is on the challenge of people with diabetes. That makes you feel pretty special and inspired as you ride in your Red Rider jersey… The sense of empowerment at the finish line, riding with my family and my teammates from Comprehensive Racing, makes me feel like there is nothing I cannot achieve, and I am so lucky to have such a great group of people around me.”

Life has taught Jen that even the smallest of victories deserves a pat on the back and some credit. “People often ask me how I live so easily with diabetes, but the folks that know me best know that it is not a picnic… It’s important for me to feel a sense of accomplishment each day… I am inspired to think that I can share with others what I have learned in the face of adversity, and make them realize they can do the same in their own lives.”

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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.

 “When I wear my Red Rider jersey, I feel like I’ve won the lottery,” Jen says of riding in the Tour de Cure. “I usually spend my time in my daily life in the background supporting others and staying out of the limelight. I like it that way. There’s something about that Red Rider jersey that makes me embrace being on stage for one special day with all the other Red Riders. I love to hear it when someone yells, ‘Go Red Rider!’ on the day of the event! It’s such a simple gesture, but to those faced with the daily challenges of diabetes, it really hits home and you can draw on that positive vibe the next time you face a rough day.”

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

 

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 Jen Linnane or other North Shore Tour de Cure riders, please contact Jackie at 617-482-4580 or by email at jbialer@diabetes.org.

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