About Me

Brenda will turn 50 years old on June 13, 2010.

Diabetes Statistics

Diagnosed: July 16, 2002

Original therapy: diet and Glucotrol XL

Current therapy: diet and exercise

Glucose monitor:Abbott Freestyle Lite

Wheels

2008 Specialized Dolce (women's) 44cm with Shimano M324 Pedals

Previous: 1981 Lotus Excelle mixte (12-speed) with toe clips and straps

Join the Cause

NEW! View my Tour de Cure fundraising page

NEW! Sponsor me by donating through my Tour de Cure page

As the countdown to the tour date progresses, I will have links to my fundraising pages and other ways to join in the celebration.

Diabetes Activism

Blogger, Blogabetes

Presentation: The Role of Online Communities in Diabetes Management

Designer, Diabetes Alert Cellphone Wallpaper

Online Diabetes Communities

Look for Brenda/"TMana" on:

Diabetic Rockstar

TuDiabetes

Diabetic Connect

Diabetes Talkfest

dLife Community

Follow me on Twitter

Celebrating Fifty Years

On June 13, 2010, I will turn 50 years old. While some would celebrate this with a dinner out, a formal party, or a night at the bar, I'd like to do something with a bit more meaning to it.

As it turns out, that will be the same day the Basking Ridge, New Jersey chapter of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) will be holding its Tour de Cure cycling event to raise diabetes awareness and funds for its programming activities.

Diabetes Does Not Equal Death

I have been living with Type 2 Diabetes since 2002, and as an active member of the Diabetes Online Community, I am constantly confronted with the need to educate and assist the newly-diagnosed and their families to adopt the lifestyle changes needed to successfully thrive with this condition. The ADA has developed outreach programs for the communities most at-risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, where the lifestyle changes are most difficult, educating these communities, and helping them build strong support structures for people living with diabetes.

Red Riders

One of the ADA's incentives for riders with diabetes to participate in the Tour de Cure is the Red Riders program. Much in the manner that pink ribbons denote breast cancer awareness, a Red Rider jersey indicates that the cyclist wearing it has diabetes. One of my goals is to be a Red Rider at the Basking Ridge Tour de Cure.

The Challenge

After way too many years away from two-wheels, I'm finally getting back into bicycling for fun and fitness. (There's nothing like the feel of the wind rushing through you when you're pedaling down the road at speed, your heart pumping...) Barring anything serious, I know I will be able to do 12 miles, or 25 miles. I have never in my life gone more than 30 miles in a day -- and that, a round trip after a club picnic over a quarter-century ago.

One of the distance options for the Tour de Cure is a 50 mile option.

The love of my life, Frank, suggested the poetic alliteration of aiming to complete the 50-mile ride for my fiftieth birthday.

It's too good a challenge to pass up -- and thereby, "50 for Fifty".

Plan to Celebrate With Me

There are several ways in which you can celebrate this achievement with me and help me meet my challenge:

Keep checking back for more ways you can support my efforts to reach this goal.