Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 17www.troyrecord.com The Record

The ride of your lifeThe warning signsof diabetes

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Red Riders takeon Tour

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Area businessesjump at change toform teams

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inside the section

By Kathryn CaggianelliThe Record

SARATOGA SPRINGS —It’s a ride, not a race.That’s how those closestto the American DiabetesAssociation’s Tour de Curecharacterize the annualnationwide, non-competi-tive cycling fundraiser,which this year locally isslated for June 2 atSaratoga Springs HighSchool.

Diabetes — a diseasethat prevents the bodyfrom producing or proper-ly using insulin — affects25.8 million people, orapproximately 8.3 percentof the population.Additionally, it has beendiagnosed in 18.8 millionpeople and is undiagnosedin approximately sevenmillion people, accordingto the American Diabetes

Association.Insulin, a hormone, is

needed to convert sugar,starches and other foodinto energy. There are twotypes of diabetes: Type 1— which is found in anestimated five to 10 per-cent of Americans diag-nosed with diabetes —results from the body’sfailure to produce insulinand; Type 2 — found inan estimated 90 to 95 per-cent of diagnosed cases ofdiabetes in the U.S. –results from insulin resist-ance or when the body

fails to properly useinsulin.

The ADA, founded in1940, provides diabetesresearch, information andadvocacy for people withdiabetes, their familiesand health care profes-sionals, according towww.diabetes.org

Cassandra Coyle, a dia-betes nurse educator atMemorial Hospital,encourages people of allages to become educatedabout diabetes, to main-tain a healthy lifestyle andto adopt healthy goals forthemselves.

“As a diabetes nurseeducator, I want people toknow that they can con-trol their diabetes and livea healthy life with healthyeating, blood sugar moni-toring, medications asneeded, exercise and stressreduction,” Coyle said.

“But all this is individualto the person and not easyto understand or do with-out education. People withdiabetes should see a certi-fied diabetes educator tohelp make changes andlearn how to fit diabetesinto their lives.”

Working with otherhealth care providers isthe optimal way to makesense of all the complexi-ties that come with thedisease, she said.

The Diabetes EductionProgram at MemorialHospital and the otheraffiliates of St. Peter’sHealth Partners isdesigned to help peoplewith diabetes succeed inachieving their healthylifestyle goals, Coyle said.

Last year, when Moreauresident John Marcantoniodecided to get involvedwith Tour de Cure for the

first time, he did so as apersonal challengebecause he’d always want-ed to do a long-distancebike ride; the fact that theride supported a worth-while cause also weighedin.

Marcantonio, 42, ismembership director ofthe Saratoga CountyChamber of Commerceand knows firsthand theimportance of teamwork.

“Last year I rode withJohn Davidson from theDavidson BrothersBrewing Company inGlens Falls,” he said.“John assembled a team ofover 50 riders and raisedover $37,000. It was coolto train with some peopleon the team and to getsupport on the road.”

Get ready to take the ride ofyour life at the Tour de Cure!

I would like to extend a per-sonal invitation to you tobecome part of the SaratogaSprings Tour de Cure onSunday, June 2, 2013. Registernow and help raise awarenessand critical funds for diabetesresearch, education and advoca-cy in support of the AmericanDiabetes Association, all whilehaving fun and keeping inshape with family and friends.

Our event offers a memorableday of cycling through beautifulSaratoga County. Whether youare an occasional rider or anexperienced cyclist, there’s aroute just for you. Participantshave a choice of five coursesfrom a flat 10-mile ride throughSaratoga Spa State Park, all theway up to the challenge of the100-mile century ride. Riders get

the personalsatisfaction ofcompleting achallengingride and doingtheir part inthe fightagainst dia-betes.

Our routesfeature full-service rest

stops as well as SAG andmechanical support along theway. When you cross the finishline, you will be greeted bycheering volunteers and treatedto lunch from Glen Sander’sMansion, a massage, music andmuch more!

Do you or does someone youknow have diabetes? Thousandsof people with diabetes partici-pate in Tour as "Red Riders."Red Riders are the reason we

ride, and are given a jersey toproudly wear on the day of theevent. Beyond this recognition,Red Riders are part of a commu-nity that inspires us to ride andraise money to Stop Diabetes.®Joining Team Red is a great wayto connect with others support-ing a Red Rider or honoring aloved one with diabetes.

Tour de Cure participants canearn a variety of exciting gifts!These gifts represent our thanksfor funding the mission of theADA and supporting the 26 mil-lion Americans with diabetes.All registered participants rais-ing the minimum $200 willreceive a commemorative Tourde Cure t-shirt on the day of theevent. Raise $1,000 or more andyou automatically become aChampion to Stop Diabetes andcan earn exclusive apparel andcycling gear.

We’d like to thank our pre-senting sponsor EmpireBlueCross; our premier sponsorsColumbia DevelopmentCompanies, MazzoneHospitality, Albany Valve &Fitting, Lia Auto Group, MariniBuilders, Hodorowski Homesand Fly 92.3; and all of ourother generous sponsors.

When you ride in Tour deCure, you take part in some-thing unique. You join the ranksof some of the most passionatepeople in the country who careabout cycling, health and aboveall finding a cure for diabetes.Learn more atdiabetes.org/saratoga.

Thank you,

Amy R. YoungDirector, American Diabetes

Association

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“I knew that if I did-n’t make a change I,too, would be on thepath to getting dia-betes.”

John Guastella

From the desk of the director ...

YOUNG

FACTS TO KNOWABOUT DIABETES

Type 1 Diabetes

Results from thebody's failure to pro-duce insulin, the hor-mone that "unlocks"the cells of the body,allowing glucose toenter and fuel them. Itis estimated that 5-10percent of Americanswho are diagnosedwith diabetes havetype 1 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes

Usually results frominsulin resistance (acondition in which thebody fails to properlyuse insulin), combinedwith relative insulindeficiency. Type 2 dia-betes accounts forabout 90-95 percent ofall diagnosed cases ofdiabetes.

Symptoms of dia-betes

Diabetes often goesundiagnosed becausemany of its symptomsmay seem harmless.Recent studies indicatethat the early detectionof diabetes symptomsand treatment candecrease the chance ofdeveloping the compli-cations of diabetes.Some diabetes symp-toms include: Frequenturination, excessivethirst, extreme hunger,unusual weight loss,increased fatigue, irri-tability and blurryvision. If you have oneor more of these dia-betes symptoms, seeyour doctor right away.

Diabetescomplications

are serious

Increased risk ofheart disease andstroke

Leading cause of kid-ney failure

Nervous system dis-ease and non-traumaticlower-limb amputations

—Kathryn Caggianelli

Tour helps people meet personal goals

Cont. on page 24

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 19www.troyrecord.com The Record tour de cure

By Kathryn CaggianelliThe Record

When Columbia County resi-dent Glenn Oldrich, 41, firstlearned he had Type 2 diabetesin 2011 he felt completely alone.A retired U.S. Naval officer,Oldrich enlisted in the Navy atage 18 and never paid toomuch attention to his diet whilepursuing his career.

Oldrich, who currently ownsand operates Glenn O’s WildlifeNuisance Control in Hudson,served most of his 20-yearcareer in Norfolk, Virginia as aMarine Gas Turbine MechanicPetty Officer Second Class andwas deployed to the MiddleEast four times; his militarycareer also included three yearsas a Navy Recruiter inConnecticut.

Initially, he turned his focusto diabetes about 11 years agoafter learning that his motherArlene Oldrich had been diag-nosed with the disease.

“I did some volunteer workwith the Tour de Cure as a HamRadio operator providing com-munication support betweenthe years of 1997 to 2000,” hesaid. “In my final year of theU.S. Navy I was myself diag-nosed with pre-diabetes andwas told to eat a better diet andsent on my way.”

However, in June of 2011 hewas diagnosed with Type 2Diabetes, prescribed oral med-ication and advised again toimprove his diet. Being on thereceiving end of such a seriousdiagnosis was not easy forOldrich.

“I felt all alone and did notknow where to turn. In Januaryof 2013 I walked into theAmerican Diabetes Associationoffice in Albany,” said Oldrich.“After being given some book-lets and a few websites I starteddoing some research on dia-betes and began to realize howimportant it was to get diabetesunder control. Among thebooklets was a sign-up sheet forthe Tour de Cure. I love cycling

and thought by signing up Imight meet more people affect-ed by diabetes.”

People with diabetes who optto ride in the Tour de Cure areknown as Red Riders.

When Oldrich signed on as aRed Rider and started attendingteam meetings, he quicklymade friends and began to real-ize that he most definitely wasnot alone in battling the dis-ease. This year’s event on June2 in Saratoga Springs will behis first Tour de Cure as a RedRider.

“Diabetes has had a hugeimpact on my life,” he said. “Inever gave much thought to mydiet. Now all the foods I used toeat and love I can't eat; bread,pasta, pizza, ice cream is nowno-sugar-added and even thenit isn't much more than onescoop. I am more active thanever to help my body absorbthe glucose that it has.”

Oldrich bought a new bicycleto train on and is currently intraining for the 50 mile ride. Hehas had to teach himself aboutdiabetes and only recently gotover the embarrassment of test-ing his blood in front of friendsand family. He credits them —and his girlfriend Tammy Knottmost of all — for being support-ive and helping him get the dis-ease under control.

With so many stories similarto Oldrich’s, it’s easy to makean impassioned argument forthe ongoing efforts of both the

Tour and the ADA.“The Saratoga Tour de Cure is

such an important eventbecause 26 million Americanssuffer from diabetes and it’sestimated that by 2050, 1 in 3American adults will have it ifwe don’t take preventativemeasures,” said Sarah Child, aspokesperson for the SaratogaTour de Cure.

Child added that the eventraises not only funds, but alsoawareness and advances theADA’s mission, which is to pre-vent and cure diabetes and toimprove the lives of all of thoseaffected by the disease.

For decades, that mission hashelped people like 53-year-oldScott Brennan become informedand make changes for the bet-ter.

Brennan, an IT supervisor,decided three years ago that itwas time to take control ofwhat had been a life-long battlewith obesity.

Over the years, the Halfmoonresident tried to do his best toeat well and exercise, butlacked the true motivation andnutritional know-how toachieve and maintain a healthyweight.

“So many times I made someprogress only to slip back towhere I was. With the help of aclosely monitored diet and adesire to make this time theabsolute last time, I found atrainer named Mike from thelocal YMCA, and we workedtogether to accomplish my goalof losing 130 pounds,” Brennansaid.

His trainer asked him to com-mit himself to the effort “forjust three months,” to whichBrennan easily agreed.

“I figured I could withstandalmost anything for threemonths,” he said. “I stuck tomy workout and diet and

almost immediately saw andfelt a difference. Once that hap-pened I decided I couldn’t stopand give in.”

By committing himself tothree months of whatever itwould take, Brennan, who wasdiagnosed with Type 1 Diabetesat age 25, was determined tobetter manage the disease andreclaim an active lifestyle thathis obesity had robbed him of.Bicycling was one of thoseactivities.

“So as a sort of reward tomyself I found a bike I likedlisted on a for-sale website andpurchased it,” he said. “I startedriding five or 10 miles and then,just like losing weight, Ienjoyed it so much I wanted toride more. I never got to thepoint of riding all the time orevery day, but I do go out aboutthree times a week and rideabout 20 miles each time.”

It wasn’t too long after start-ing his riding regimen that henoticed a Tour de Cure poster ata local gym. After doing someresearch and gaining the sup-port of his family, he decided tobecome a Red Rider. In 2012 heparticipated for the first time inthe Tour de Cure and rode 50miles.

“I started my own team,which ended up being a ‘teamof one.’ But I did raise enoughmoney to make me feel it was

all worth it,” Brennan said.Brennan recalled when he

first found out he had diabetes.“I was diagnosed fairly

young, at about 25. I had highblood pressure and during aphysical to help diagnose that,we discovered my blood sugarwas out of whack. The issue ofbeing careful of sugar was pret-ty easy to overcome. I stoppedeating candy and sugar soda,figuring that was all I had todo. I didn’t realize that therewas a lot more to managingyour diet beyond not eatingsugary foods,” he said.

“There really was a lack ofgood information available tome. I recall getting handed afew flyers that talked about dia-betes, but it seemed so ‘casual’and so I treated it the sameway.”

The awareness raised by theTour de Cure is really making adifference. And the combinedwork of all the riders advancesthe effort exponentially,Brennan said.

“When I decided to do theride for the first time last year, Ifound out two people on myimmediate team at work havediabetes,” he said. “I want peo-ple to know that doing this rideis not impossible and that dia-betes affects more of theirfriends and loved ones thanthey realize.”

Red Riders endorse importance of Tour de Cure, healthy lifestyle

BRENNAN

Photo providedGlenn Oldrich, who is participating in the Tour de Cure as a Red Rider.

FUNDRAISING ...Tips for fundraising for the 2013Tour de Cure can be found at:http://bit.ly/ZlitsK

tour de cure20 - Wednesday, April 24, 2013 The Record www.troyrecord.com

On a mission to find a curePhotos provided

Photos from the 2012 Saratoga Tour de Cure. This year’s event will be held June 2. For more information, visit www.dia-betes.org/Saratoga

www.troyrecord.com The Record tour de cure Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 21

By Francine GrinnellThe Record

Like those of manychronic diseases, the sta-tistics on diabetes can beintimidating. Diabetesaffects the lives of 25.8million Americans, or8.3 percent of the popu-lation. On June 2, ridersof all skill levels will par-ticipate in the AmericanDiabetes Association’s2013 Saratoga SpringsTour de Cure. The orga-nization’s major annualfundraising event isbeing held again in thehope of defeating the dis-ease and those odds onceand for all.

The Association hasbeen funding innovativeresearch to combat dia-betes since 1955. In2010, the ADA fundedmore than $34 million inresearch at 125 leadingresearch institutionsthroughout the country.

Starting in the parkinglot of Saratoga SpringsHigh School, the ride —not race — offers optionssuitable for everyonewho accepts the chal-lenge. From a leisurely10-mile route all the wayto the 100-mile Centuryride, riders are encour-aged to execute the routeof their choice at a speedthat is comfortable. The10-mile ride is on flat ter-rain, through SaratogaSpa State Park; the 25-mile and 50-mile haveincreasingly moderatehills to climb, and the100-mile ride is for theexperienced cyclist whodoesn’t mind a chal-lenge.

In 2012, 2,009 ridersregistered with 250 vol-unteers supporting them.As diverse as the ridersare, whether individual

or corporate team mem-bers, over 2,000 ridersclaim a common bond inthat many have powerfulpersonal accounts thatmotivated a desire toserve. Year after year,many return in pursuitof coming that muchcloser to a day when thevictory ride against thedisease occurs.

In the 2013 SaratogaSprings Tour de Cure, theADA and its corporatesponsors continue to cre-ate a win-win situationfor all involved. As wellas encouraging commu-nity service, the Touroffers an opportunity toexpose a corporate brandto a targeted audience, togain media coverage, andbuild community rela-

tions while supporting aworthy cause. Corporateteams participating inthe Saratoga SpringsTour de Cure are KivortSteel Cycling Team, TeamEllis Medicine, TeamRudy, First Niagara,Team Vent Fitness,Albany Medical College,Northeastern FineJewelry, BondedConcrete, Empire BlueRiders, and ASML.

Chairing the SaratogaSprings Tour de Cure forhis first year is AngeloMazzone, of MazzoneHospitality. “We’ve beeninvolved with for the lastsix years. We fed the rid-ers after the ride at theSaratoga Springs HighSchool. We providedlunch for a couple of

thousand riders, gavethem pasta, salad andbread so they had thecarbs they needed. Afterdoing that, I got involvedwith the ADA organiza-tion. Last year was thefirst year MazzoneHospitality had a team.We got to spend timewith people who workfor us, and they werereally into it. I rode 25miles myself and hadonly trained to ride for10, but my son said,‘Dad, we’re going for 25miles.’ It was amazing tosee the turn out. We’revery happy to beinvolved in the SaratogaSprings Tour De Cure,”said Mazzone.

Kivort Steel CyclingTeam (KSCT) ofWaterford is the numberone Tour de Curefundraising team in NewYork state, and the thirdhighest in the country inits category. The team,headed by PresidentRobert Kivort and part-ner Michael Polishchuk,has grown from 10 ridersto 168 riders in 2012.The team has raised over$300,000 for the ADA inthe last three years.

“I had no idea whatgetting involved sevenyears ago would lead to.At the invitation of ourco-captain Dave Canfield,I rode in the event. Thecamaraderie and organi-zation of the eventimpressed me, and I hada wonderful experience.It was for a good causeand I decided to sponsor

a team.” At first, theKivort Steel team wassmall, with six employ-ees participating, three ofwhom actually rode.This year Kivort hopes tohave 200 riders.

“I’m almost embar-rassed to say that it did-n’t occur to me that myown brother is chal-lenged by Type 1 dia-betes and that realizationwas a driver for me. Itmade it personal,” saidKivort.

Red Rider JimAnderson of Guilderlandwill participate for thesecond year on theKivort Steel team. “InMay of 2011, I started ajourney to lose someweight. I had been told Ihad Type 2 diabetes andwas outright sick. Mydoctor sat across thetable from me and said Iwouldn’t be able to con-trol it with a change indiet and would bedependent on medicationfor life. I decided thatwasn’t going to happen.I’ve lost 100 pounds atthis point,” saidAnderson.

Having always been acyclist, he found a pam-phlet at his gym aboutlast year’s event.Anderson logged 1,300miles last year and isshooting for 2,000 thisyear. “It’s great to ridefor yourself, but havingothers to ride for issomething else,” saidAnderson.

Kivort and Andersonsay that the most impor-tant thing to remember

is that the Tour is not arace. “We are here toraise money for ADA andto have a family funday,” said Kivort. KSCThas been the top corpo-rate fundraiser for thelast two years. “Whenmy daughter was 7 yearsold, she did the 10 mileride the first year. If shecan do it, anybody can”Kivort said.

For a second year,Empire Blue Cross, inAlbany is sponsoring acorporate team. Directorof Sales Joseph Centerhas felt from the begin-ning that sponsoring andparticipating in the Tourde Cure was in keepingwith Empire Blue Cross’declared mission toimprove the lives of thepeople and the commu-nities his companyserves. Center captainsthe Empire Blue Riders,comprised of 34 ridersand another 25 volun-teers.

“To be honest, it’s agreat experience. I’vealways believed in lead-ing by example. I workedout regularly, but withweights and cardioequipment. I didn’tknow how I’d find thetime, but I decided to gofor it.”

Center had the oldmountain bike he rodewhen he was a studentat Albany State tuned up,and took some tips fromothers. He planned toride 10 miles and rode afull 25.

22 - Wednesday, April 24, 2013 The Record www.troyrecord.comtour de cure

“When my daughter was 7 years old, she didthe 10 mile ride the first year. If she can doit, anybody can”

Robert KivortPresident, Kivort SteelSEE RELATED VIDEO AT

WWW.TROYRECORD.COM

Businesses jump at opportunity to support Tour

Francine Grinnell photoAngelo Mazzone, of Mazzone Hospitality, who is chairing theSaratoga Springs Tour de Cure this year.

Cont. on page 24

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 23www.troyrecord.com The Record tour de cure

By Diana DennerThe Record

ALBANY – Diabetes ismore than a healththreat affecting millionsof American childrenand adults. The finan-cial strain has thepotential of harming ourcountry’s economicwell-being said Dr. GregF. Gerety, MD of TheEndocrine Group, LLPin Albany.

“The total cost ofdiagnosed diabetes inthe U.S. in 2012 is esti-mated to be $245 bil-lion, which includes$176 billion for directmedical costs and $69billion in reduced pro-ductivity,” Gerety said.He is the founder of The

Endocrine Group Tourde Cure team that willbe joining thousands ofRed Riders June 2 inSaratoga Springs to raisemoney for the AmericanDiabetes Association(ADA) to help find acure for diabetes.

The epidemic of obe-sity in the past 20 to 30years is attributable tothe epidemic of dia-betes, Gerety, who is aformer president of ADANew York state affiliate,said.

“We now eat morecalories, our portionsize is larger, we eatmore fast food, we lessfrequently eat as a fami-ly unit and the soda andsnack food industry isthriving,” he said.

“Healthy eating is moretime consuming andexpensive. We’re farless physically active,spending less time withoutdoor play and moretime on the computer,Smart phone or [watch-ing] television.”

Diabetes is a disease

of high blood sugarsince the pancreas doesnot produce enoughinsulin. In Type 1 dia-betes, the body has animmune dysfunction,unable to produceinsulin, which affects 5percent of children andyoung adults. The mostcommon form is Type 2diabetes that hasimpacted millions oflives. The Centers forDisease Control andPrevention reported how79 million Americanshave pre-diabetes and90 percent do not knowit.

To safeguard yourhealth, it is important totake preventative meas-ures, know the symp-toms and understand

the warning signs ofdiabetes that can lead tomajor health complica-tions if left untreated.

For children andyoung adults with Type1 diabetes the signs andsymptoms are frequentthirst and urination,unexplained weight lossand increased level ofirritability and fatigue.Some might experiencenocturia, which isexcessive urinating atnight. In young chil-dren, bedwetting is acommon occurrence.

“If or when thesesigns and symptomsbecome associated withnausea and vomitingthen a medical emer-gency known as diabeticketoacidosis (DKA) may

be present and immedi-ate medical evaluationin hospital emergencydepartment called for,”Gerety said.

The symptoms of Type1 diabetes may manifestmore at night whenpeople are in a down-time mode than duringthe day. The signs canbe less noticeable fol-lowing exercise yetmore prevalent after eat-ing.

Although Type 1 dia-betes shares commonwarning signs as peoplewith Type 2 diabetes,Gerety cautions thatthese symptoms can besubtle or non-existent.“There are 5 million

Cost of diagnosed diabetes reaches billions of dollars

Goal of $1.2M for Tour within reach, staff saysBy Diana DennerThe Record

ALBANY — The AmericanDiabetes Association has beenworking its way around theCapital District lately with anumber of fundraisers aimedat raising not only money, butalso awareness for a diseasethat affects millions of peopleacross the U.S. One of theirbiggest events is still to come,however, as the 2013 SaratogaTour de Cure will take to thestreets in early June.

So far, 141 teams are signedup for the different bikeroutes June 2 with a fundrais-ing goal of $1,250,000 atSaratoga High School. Amongthose participants are morethan 1,500 Red Riders, chil-dren and adults diagnosedwith diabetes who participatein the cycling event thatdraws thousands to SaratogaCounty.

“Our goals have grownevery year,” said Amy Young,

director of Albany and CentralNew York ADA. “Through thededication of riders and vol-unteers, our planning commit-tee and executive committee,our goals have seen a 25 per-cent growth.”

Saratoga Tour de Cure offersparticipants the chance to vol-unteer, do their share in thefight to find a cure for dia-betes while experiencing thethrill of completing a difficultride: 10 mile, which is familyfun ride, 25 mile, 50 mile,62.5, Metric Century Ride, 100mile known as the CenturyRide or the Indoor Spin eventthat takes 1 to 3 hours to fin-ish.

Whether you’re a novice oran expert cyclist, ADA has aroute that matches your abili-ty and comfort level in addi-tion to offering full-servicerest areas. Ranked first in thestate and third out of 90 toursin the nation, The SaratogaTour de Cure is part of anationwide cause to stop dia-

betes and alter the future ofthe 26 million Americansdiagnosed with the disease.When participants cross thefinish line will be cheered onand treated to lunch at GlenSander’s Mansion.

“We raised more than amillion dollars last year with2,000 cyclists that day andover 200 volunteers,” Youngsaid. “Red Riders receive aspecial derby at the day of theevent. Saratoga Tour de Curemotivates and builds relation-ships. People get togetherand talk about living withdiabetes.”

Committed to fundingresearch to prevent, cure andmanage diabetes and publish-ing scientific findings, ADAhas been striving to improvethe lives of people affected bydiabetes since 1940. Theirstrategic plan, according toYoung, calls for an expansionin the diabetes research.

“Over $33 million wasdonated last year for research

nationally; 12 million over thepast five years has been fund-ed in New York state,” shesaid. “The first glucose meterwas developed throughresearch.”

The non-profit volunteer-driven organization has hun-dreds of volunteers in Albanyand Central areas that encom-pass 11 different countieswhich include Albany,Rensselaer, Saratoga,Schenectady, Fulton,Montgomery, Greene andColumbia. ADA providesservices to the communityand publicizes vital informa-tion and latest developmentsfrom the scientific communityto the general public aboutthe disease. They are advo-cates to those denied theirrights because of their afflic-tion with diabetes.

“In February, ADA goes tothe state capitol with our lob-byists for the current move-ment at the time,” Youngexplained. “ADA lobbied

against Panera Bread so peo-ple can be aware of howmany calories they are eating[listed on the menu] at restau-rants.”

During November, NationalDiabetes month, and at othertimes in the year, ADA offerseducational seminars andhosts health fairs. To promotethe worksite wellness move-ment Young said they areoffering a free program. StopDiabetes at Work educatespeople with four differentvideos on how to prevent dia-betes and living a healthy life.

Children that reside in NewYork state are invited to stayat Camp Aspire during thesummer situated on 133 acresof land at the Rotary SunshineCampus, 15 miles fromRochester. The overnightcamp has modern year-roundcabins, nature trails, fishingpond, athletic fields and anOlympic size swimming pool

GERETY

Cont. on page 24

Cont. on page 24

PERSONAL GOALS...By late last month,

this year’s recruitmentnumber of riders on theDavidson BrothersBrewing Company teamwas 50, according toLouis Christiano, teamorganizer.

The ADA’s Tour deCure crew made thefundraising piece of thechallenge easy by pro-viding a great ride andsupport right down tothe rest stops along theway where cyclists refu-eled, Marcantonio said.

But perhaps the mostimportant piece of thefundraiser for him wasthe knowledge that bypersonally challenginghimself, he was helpingto raise money to fighta disease that afflicted afew of his friends – andthen was stunned byhow many of hisfriends supported hisride financially becausethey too had loved onesor friends with dia-betes.

“Getting involvedincreased my educationabout diabetes, but alsoopened my eyes to thenumber of people in mylife impacted,”Marcantonio said. “Ihad no idea!”

Marcantonio set agoal last year to ridethe Metric Century (65miles) and raise $500;he succeeded by com-pleting the ride in thetime he allotted forhimself. He credits the

generosity of friendsand family for his suc-cess in raising morethan $1,000.

“I had such a goodtime and was soinspired by all of theparticipants that I willbe back this year,” hesaid.

Ironically, the Tour deCure challenge was alsoa way for Mercantonioto face some demonsfrom the past.

“I used to ride when Iwas a kid and at age 16had a serious accidenton my bike – I got hitby a car, almost died,had emergency surgeryand spent four monthsrehabbing frominjuries,” he said “I hadgiven up cycling, butriding a century wasalways a life goal. Last

year I got serious,invested in a new bike,trained for the summerand have signed up toachieve my ‘bucket list’goal on June 2, when Ihope to raise another$1,000 for the ADA.”

In 2012, Delmar resi-dent John Guastella, 47,rode in his first Tour deCure in honor of hisfather Vincent Guastellawho died in 2001 fromdiabetes. Guastella, aLong Island native, is atriathlete and anIronman, having com-peted in Lake Placid in2011.

Even though the rig-ors of a long-distancebike ride are nothingnew to him, Guastellavalues the idea behindsuch an importantfundraiser.

“Several years ago Ilost about 60 poundsand began participatingin Triathlons. In 2011, Icompleted IRONMANLake Placid. I’m alsodoing it this year,” hesaid. “I knew that if Ididn’t make a change I,too, would be on thepath to getting dia-betes.”

The decision to par-ticipate in the Tour deCure was a poignantreminder of how exact-ing a toll diabetestakes, as well as a wayfor Guastella to take aproactive approach tohis own predilection tothe disease that hadclaimed the life of hisfather.

“Last year I did theTour De Cure Centuryride, raising well over$1,000,” Guastella said.“It was extremelyrewarding and I havepledged to my familythat I will complete theCentury Ride every yearfrom now on in myFather’s memory!”

Diabetes is one of themost controllable dis-eases, and the moneyraised through the ADAhas already made greatstrides in preventionand treatment, saidGuastella, who is presi-dent of the BethlehemTri Club (www.bethle-hemtriclub.com) andowner of OUR TOWNEPublishing in Delmar.

24 - Wednesday, April 24, 2013 The Record www.troyrecord.comtour de cure

Photo providedJohn Marcantonio with his son, Christopher.

WARNING SIGNS...people in this country that remained undiagnosed,”he said.

Other warning signs for Type 2 diabetes includefrequent infections, blurred vision, cuts or bruisesthat are slow to heal, tingling or numbness in thehands and feet, premature coronary heart diseaseand reoccurring genitourinary (GU), skin, gum orbladder infections.

Doctors recommend people with Type 2 diabetesget a flu shot because they are susceptible to catch-ing colds more than the rest of the general popula-tion.

“High blood glucoses, aka hyperglycemia, canimpair the immune response to infection and inde-pendent of immune status also create a welcomeenvironment for infecting organisms,” Gerety said.“The body’s stress response to infection, whetherviral as with the flu, bacterial as with urinary tractinfection or pneumonia, or fungal as with yeastvaginitis or balanitis may further contribute to pre-existing hyperglycemia or explain new hyper-glycemia in individuals with diabetes who typicallyhas good glucose control.”

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects 18percent of women who are pregnant. Excessivefetal growth and size for gestation age is a commonwarning sign. Other symptoms such as frequentthirst and urination are secondary to hyper-glycemia. With the help of Medical NutritionTherapy as the foundation of treatment, GDM inpregnant women will more than likely disappear,Gerety said, at the time of delivery. Unfortunately,30 to 40 percent of women with GDM are likely todevelop Type 2 diabetes within a decade.

Being overweight is a definite risk factor fordeveloping diabetes; but family history, ethnicity,age and a combination of genetic (nature) andenvironmental (nurture) factors also are a part ofthe equation.

With 8.3 percent of Americans diagnosed, dia-betes is a serious disease; however there are effec-tive preventable measures such as diet, exerciseand treatment options that can reduce the risk ofdeveloping diabetes. For more information aboutdiabetes visit www.diabetes.org and take the Type 2diabetes risk test.

TOUR GOAL...with medically trained staff and professionals. By theend of the summer vacation, Young said each camperwill know how to do their own insulin shot.

Acronym for “Always Sharing Priceless, Inspirationaland Rewarding Experiences,” Camp Aspire wants kidsto feel at ease in a close-knit community where havingdiabetes is the rule and not the exception.

For general information about ADA visit www.dia-betes.org. To register or volunteer for the Saratoga Tourde Cure visit www.diabetes.org/saratogatour, call 518-218-1755 ext. 3606 or email Denise Nicastro at dnicas-tro@diabetes.org.

BUSINESSES GET INVOLVED...Center said the ride is a great

team building experience atEmpire Blue Cross. The companyprovides jerseys and t-shirts forthe riders, and when weatherpermits, team rides are plannedafter work to prep for the Tourde Cure in June. “It turned out

that I feel driven by the enthusi-asm of our volunteers. I’m big onsetting goals; we hope to have 40riders this year and to surpassthe $11,000 we raised last yearby reaching $15,000 for ADA.You don’t have to have a specialbike to ride. You can even bor-row a bike for the day. After theride last year, I began to ride

from my house in Altamont tomy gym and home. Now it’sbecome a part of my own fitnessroutine ” said center.

The Empire Blue Riders hopeto keep the team spirit of theADA Tour de Cure rides alive allyear long.