Click here for the last update
Hi everyone,
As you may already know, I was diagnosed with Type 1
Diabetes two years ago. It was a shock at first to receive the news but since
that day I`ve always looked forward and reflected on what I can do to find a
cure for this disease. I wanted to do something on a larger scale and since I am
an avid cyclist, what better way to feel healthy and show your support for a
good cause.
The Journey Begins...
In order to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation, I`ve decided to embark on a journey that will have me cycling from
Ottawa to Montreal, a distance of 190 kilometres, on August 1. My father has
gotten the urge to come along with me and join in on what is expected to be an
adventure of a lifetime.
Sponsoring Us
We would like to ask you for your support in order
for us to raise funds for diabetes research. You may write us a cheque or give a
cash donation. If you would like to make a donation with your credit card, then
we ask you to visit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation website at:
www.jdrf.ca. If you are
planning to donate via credit card, it would be kind if you could let us know
the amount that you gave in order for us to have a better idea of how much we
raised in total from this event alone.
You can give me a donation in person, by mail, or let me know by email.
Thank you for your generous support!
And You`re Invited
Come greet us as we roll through town on our bikes. Meet
us at the house and we'll celebrate our great achievement for diabetes research
together.
Please RSVP as soon as you can to
let us know if you can make it to the BBQ by clicking
here.
Friday, August 1, 2008 5:30pm
BBQ Supper (B.Y.O.B.)
@ Rick and Nora's in Deux-Montagnes
Who knows, Ottawa to Montreal this year, maybe Toronto to Montreal next year.
Are you ready Dad?
Carla and Rick
Update: 1
Hi again,
Wonderful summer eh! Well I'm enjoying my time to relax and do all the
things that I normally don't get to do during the year. It's great to be a
teacher.
My dad and myself are heavily training for our ride. We are out on the bike path
between 3-5 times a week. We are planning to do some more long distance runs
during the month of July. We are also keeping a keen eye on what we eat and
drink as our nutritional intake has a strong impact on the kind of demanding
physical activity that we will be embarking upon on August 1.
The response from all of our friends and family regarding donations has been
extremely overwhelming. I keep on telling myself that I can't believe the
generosity of people over me just sending a little email to everyone and also
through word of mouth. There is no greater motivation out there than to have
friends and family support you towards achieving a BIG goal- a dream for me. If
you can, I would like to ask you to send the original email that I had sent out
to you to anyone that you know who would like to make a contribution, I would
highly appreciate it. Thank you.
As some of you may have heard in the news, a gentleman by the name of Daniel
Hurtubise and 3 other people were cycling across Canada in order to raise funds
for research into Type 1 Diabetes. They had left Vancouver on June 14 and were
traveling right across to Newfoundland. On Sunday, June 29, as the group were
cycling in Manitoba, they were struck by a car. Hurtubise and another cyclist
died on impact. His two children, who were also riding with him, were seriously
injured but have been released from hospital. I had been in contact with Daniel
within the last 3 months talking to him about the possibility to ride with him
at some point during his journey. I was aiming to collect money to support his
ride. But in the end, I had wanted to do my own event with my dad and make it
more feasible for both of us to do. I tell you of this story not to scare you
about the cycling ride that my dad and I want to accomplish but to tell you that
we are ready to continue the goal that Daniel and his fellow cyclists set out to
do. My condolences go out to their families.
So we continue the goal to raise funds for research into Type 1 Diabetes (also
known as Juvenile Diabetes). If you've not had the chance to talk to my dad or
myself about our event, please feel free to contact us. If you have the chance,
please come to the BBQ that we will be having as we roll into town on our bikes.
Once again, I am extremely glad of the support that we have received so far from
family and friends. We couldn't have been able to do this without you. Thank
you. Merci.
Update: 2 (July 21, 2008)
Hi everyone,
Hope everyone is doing well. I know I am, in the best shape of my life actually.
Feeling great all around!
Just to let you know, I was just recently in Toronto over the weekend attending
the International Diabetes Exercise and Sports Associations' annual conference
and it was a blast. I was informed of it by my nurse about 3 weeks ago and it
couldn't have come at a better time than in the last stages before our bike
ride. I learnt a lot about nutritional standards to follow, carbohydrate
counting, blood glucose readings and how to monitor your BG, and specific
exercises and stretches for certain activities that one might do. I was also
fortunate enough to meet some pretty amazing diabetic athletes, such as 1 guy
that climbed Everest (1st ever Canadian diabetic to do so), Mr. Universe (his
muscles are bigger than both my arms put together), 2 Halifax guys who cycled
from the top of Africa to the bottom of it, and a bunch of cyclists and Ironmen
athletes. What an inspiration! I am so glad that I am doing this bike ride so
that I can claim to be a part of an elite group of athletes that are doing
something to conquer this disease. I'll fill you in on all the details of the
conference when I see you next.
As a reminder, if it's been in the back of your mind to donate and you still
have not had the chance to do so, no worries, you still have plenty of time. We
are still collecting donations and just reach my dad or myself to let us know if
you would still like to donate. Also, anyone who has given a cheque, I will only
be sending them in to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) after our
bike ride. Donations of $20 or more will automatically receive a tax receipt.
If you still have not told us if you are able to attend the BBQ, please let us
know if you can or cannot, we would love to have you there.
Alright, only 1.5 week away from the big day. We'll be starting right at the
Parliament buildings in Ottawa early early in the morning on August 1 and will
cycle our way all the way to sunny Two Mountains. It's going to be a grueling
day I believe (nothing like the Tour de France of course) but it will be our day
to accomplish something HUMONGOUS for diabetes, a great challenge in and of
itself.
Take care and I'll update you after we finish our ride. Wish us luck!
Carla and Rick
WOW!!! That's pretty much all I can
say from your combined success towards raising over $1500 for the Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation. My father and I are completely flabbergasted (yes,
that's how blown away we are) as to how much people showed their great
generosity to such a worthy cause. The day was a complete success, we had great
weather, felt that we were in good shape, and were well received at the finish
line by family and friends who were out to show their support even more than
they already had with their donation. Thank you to everyone for what you have
given to diabetes research. I don't think I have to tell you this but the next
time someone asks you to donate to any cause, remember that you are playing a
vital role in the big picture. That is the role that you played in giving to the
JDRF.
I will be bringing in all the donations to the JDRF next week. I am most
positive that they will be blown away from the success of this event. Right now,
I am in sunny Vancouver visiting my brother, relaxing on the beaches, and guess
what, biking all around town. How could I even think about getting off the bike
now, I'm too pumped!
Oh by the way, here are some stats from the actual bike trip that we
accomplished on August 1.
179.5 km riding
7 hour, 40 minutes riding time
1 lost speedometer
0 muscle pain (bum included)
The satisfaction of knowing that we are doing something great for diabetes
research= PRICELESS!!!
I know, CHEESY, but I had to do it. Thank you once again, we plan on doing
something like this next year so watch out for another email in the year to
come, and I hope to all see you soon so that my dad and myself can thank you in
person.
Thank you, Merci beaucoup.
--
CARLA HOGER