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Health & Fitness

Winchester Family to Ride in Tour de Cure

The Vaeth family is participating in the American Diabetes Association's one-day cycling event that brings together cyclists of all ages and levels. Visit www.diabetes.org/nsmedia.

Winchester residents, the Vaeth family, will be taking part in The American Diabetes Association’s movement to Stop Diabetes® by riding in the annual Tour de Cure®. This cycling event is happening on Sunday, May 19 at the Topsfield Fairgrounds in Topsfield, MA to help raise funds to change the future of diabetes and help stop this devastating disease.

Wife and mother, Ann Vaeth, began her involvement with the sheer joy of the ride and to support a cure for her husband Stu’s type 2 diabetes. “It has become much, much more!” Vaeth says. “I did not realize at the time, the impact that this disease would have on my family. Last year, both my son, Sam, and daughter, Anna, were diagnosed. Sam is type 1 and Anna is type 2. Now, we ride together to help stop diabetes.”

So many things cross Vaeth’s mind as she rides in the Tour de Cure. “I am thrilled to see so many riders.  The energy is exhilarating and the thought of the donations rolling in is encouraging. I see red riders of all ages and abilities helping me to understand that the disease is manageable and that these riders thrive. I am encouraged by the American Diabetes Association, the Tour de Cure organization, and its members. It is a dedicated group of individuals and I am proud to be part of their team.”

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As type 1 and type 2, Vaeth’s family members ride in the Tour de Cure as Red Riders. The purpose of the Red Rider program is to support everyone who lives with diabetes, type 1 and type 2, and showcases the courage it takes to live every day with this difficult disease. The Tour de Cure recognizes riders with diabetes as the heroes on the day of the event.

Tour de Cure is designed for anyone from the occasional to the experienced cyclist with routes from the 15-mile family ride to 100-mile Gran Fondo, a century ride. The routes all feature rest stops with food to fuel the journey and volunteers to cheer riders on.

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The Tour de Cure raises funds for the 26 million Americans living with diabetes through registration fees and pledges collected by the cyclists. To register, cyclists or volunteers can call the American Diabetes Association at 617-482-4580 ext. 3487 or visit us at www.diabetes.org/nsmedia.  

The North Shore Tour de Cure is sponsored nationally by Gold’s Gym, Lilly Diabetes, and Bumble Bee Foods; Locally by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Summit Partners, Boston Scientific Corporation, North Shore Magazine, Mix 104.1, Amp 103.3, and WBZ News Radio; and Regionally by Subaru of New England.  Each Tour de Cure features a variety of routes.  The North Shore Tour de Cure routes include:

100 Mile Gran Fondo- This is an epic route including two timed segments for fantastic prizes, challenging climbs and a variety of terrain in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and on Cape Ann.

62 Mile Route- This challenging route travels through the beautiful North Shore and includes scenic countryside and local communities.

31 Mile Route- Riding this route, you will see picturesque Cape Ann landscapes with beautiful views and roads.

15 Mile Route- Great for avid and newer cyclists alike, this route will travel through charming North Shore countryside.

“I am happy to see that my kids are not alone. There are other adolescent Red Riders on the Tour de Cure and everyone is very friendly and approachable,” Vaeth reflects about on her ride. “I also think about a cure. My husband, our kids, and his family are pre-disposed to diabetes. We have some genetic susceptibility to the disease. It hits us hard! I look forward to the day when the genetic link is isolated thus leading to a cure.”

To join the Vaeth family in this year’s Tour de Cure, please visit www.diabetes.org/nsmedia to register. To visit Ann Vaeth’s personal page, please visit http://main.diabetes.org/goto/AnnVaeth. For Stu’s personal page, please visit http://main.diabetes.org/goto/StuVaeth. For Sam’s personal page, please visit http://main.diabetes.org/goto/samvaeth. For Anna’s personal page, please visit http://main.diabetes.org/goto/annavaeth.

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