Meet Todd: Taking Action After Son's Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis

My son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 8. No one should have the feeling of having their child diagnosed with a disease that has no cure. It is truly a helpless feeling. At the same time, I knew that I could control my actions and do something to help. So, I got involved in and rode in our area's next Tour de Cure event. This brought our family and our son into a whole new world of good people. 

Over the years, we have become part of a family. Our Tour family gets together multiple times throughout the year, supports one another, and raises funds to fund education, research, and advocacy. I was asked to be our region's Tour Chairperson for the 2023 and 2024 Finger Lakes region Tour de Cure event. I was honored by this and did my best to tell our story, be a light to others, and represent all that is good about Tour de Cure. I hope that I did that. The picture attached is a picture of me addressing the participants at the 2024 Finger Lakes region Tour de Cure event. It is a moment I won't soon forget because it is a reminder of the decision to do something while I was feeling helpless at the same time. 

My son and others still live healthy lives with diabetes, but the work we are doing is making things better and it is making a difference. We all face challenges but none of us are truly helpless. Take the next step to help and lend a hand. You never know where it will take you.