Welcome to the Kennebunks Tour de Cure blog! Our blog’s mission is to show you – potential riders, volunteers, or simply those curious about the event – what a great team you’ll be joining when you register for the Kennebunks Tour de Cure.
Here’s a bit about the ride – the Tour de Cure is an annual cycling event hosted by the American Diabetes Association. The Tour de Cure serves as a fundraiser for to raise diabetes awareness, education, and research. Every year, nearly 100 Tour de Cure rides are held across the nation in almost every state – last year alone raised over $17 million dollars for the American Diabetes Association.
Each Tour de Cure ride – from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Jacksonville, Florida – boasts unique features to create a memorable experience for all. The Kennebunks Tour de Cure is no Plain Jane when it comes to features; our ride follows the infamously gorgeous coastline of Kennebunkport, Maine, and features fresh local cuisine at our Ride’s End celebration party. We also offer a pancake breakfast to riders and volunteers alike, a full buffet lunch, live music at the finish line, snacks and drinks at every rest stop, and a fun, friendly atmosphere brimming with potential friendships and incredible achievements. Whether a rider or a volunteer in the Kennebunks Tour de Cure, register now to join in on the fun!
The driving force behind all Tour de Cure rides is stopping diabetes. “Stop Diabetes” is a movement launched by the American Diabetes Association this year. It’s a much more aggressive approach to finding a cure – through actively working, day in and day out, to raise awareness for diabetes and get support nationwide for research, education, and implementing new medical practices to prevent the terrifying complications diabetes may cause. “Stop Diabetes” focuses on derailing the common misconceptions many people have about diabetes to create a more unified fight against the disease.
Diabetes currently affects 24 million Americans, and over 20,000 Mainers have been diagnosed. These figures continue to grow rapidly. Diabetes claims nearly 75,000 lives a year in the U.S. alone. It’s ranked in the top ten leading causes of death world-wide, above Alzheimer’s and all strains of influenza. Yet, again – awareness for diabetes is painfully low – to the point where 5.7 million people currently living with diabetes don’t even know they have it.
This blog seeks to be not only an education tool to spread the truth on diabetes, but also to put a face with the facts. We’ll be spotlighting major figures working with Tour de Cure, displaying inspiring biographies of superstar riders, and offering tons of tips on how to get involved with this event. Plus, we’ll have constant coverage of fundraising events happening from now until June, and keep you updated on just how much bank we’ve raised to help stop diabetes NOW. Consider us your one-stop shop for the best information on Maine cycling, diabetes, and Tour de Cure superstars… Follow our blog!
