Midwest Diabetes Ride Route Announced

Tue April 21 2009
Posted Apr 21, 2009
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Des Moines, IA by KCCI The Central Iowa Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation announced Thursday that Kansas City has been chosen for the new Midwest site of the “Ride to Cure Diabetes” -- a hugely popular bike ride in other areas of the country. “We wish the ride could be closer to Des Moines,” JDRF Executive Director Mary Hunter said. “But with the popularity of RAGBRAI, we know riders who appreciate beautiful scenery will want to make the short trip to ride again and help Iowa kids.” The ride raises money to find a cure for Type 1 -- or Juvenile -- Diabetes. The Midwest JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes is July 31 to Aug. 3. It will be part of the Cider Mill Century, one of the premier bike rides of the Midwest. It’s the sixth destination chosen for the ride, which is also in Sonoma, Death Valley, Whitefish, Tucson and Vermont. Last month 8500 people packed the Polk County Convention Complex and raised $1.5 million. Organizers hope the ride will be even more successful. Type 1 Diabetes or Juvenile Diabetes makes a person dependent on injected or pumped insulin for life – and carries the constant threat of devastating complications like blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage. Ride registration is at www.ride.jdrf.org.