More Help For The Route 1 Day Center

AFC Team Member Dan Hunt organized a jacket drive for to collect cold weather jackets for the Route 1 Day Center in Columbia, MD. He was able to collect 40 items (that is 60lbs worth)!

AWESOME!

Make it a Kupenda Christmas!

Buy someone a gift that matters. Give a donation to Kupenda on behalf of a friend or loved one and send them a Kupenda Christmas card!!

Rockburn Cyclocross - Food & Clothing Drive

Thank you to everyone who donated to AFC's Food & Clothing Drive at the Rockburn Cyclocross race this past weekend. Here is a report from Bill Blandford who delivered the goods:
Food and clothing donations from AFC's Rockburn CycloCross registration effort were delivered to the Route 1 Day Center last night at 5:30 PM. The polka dotted collection box (4'X2'X2') was overflowing with clothing and canned goods on race day. It took me 10 minutes to unload the box and pack it into the back of the SUV. The donations filled the entire cargo area all the way up to the windows!
When I arrived at the Route 1 Day Center a nice gentleman saw me unloading and I asked if he worked there. "No, he replied. I'm one of the lost souls. You look like you need some volunteers." Two minutes later the car was unloaded as 8 men arrived on the scene to help. Thanks and happy holiday wishes were exchanged by all and I can only imagine the activity surrounding the donations that ensued after I left. Props to all who contributed especially Jen and Madi for the brilliant idea.

2011 Extreme Weekend - Spring Edition

The next installment of DESTINY's Extreme Weekend For Children With Diabetes will be held on May 13-15, 2011.

Sign up now for this session now for reduced cost! $150.00 till March 1, 2011 after this date cost will go up to 180.00. Visit their website at http://www.diabetesdestiny.org for more information

DESTINY will be having a new program in September 2011 a family style retreat open to all people with Diabetes. Check the website for updated information soon!

-Pat
LoveLife!

Rob Irias' Ultra Ride For Kupenda!!

This past weekend on Saturday November 13th AFC Team Member, Rob Irias, rode his bike for a total of 200.58miles to raise money for Kupenda For The Children. His ride was nothing short of inspirational. Recently Kupenda sent out an email alerting everyone of their urgent need for funds. Rob was motivated by that email to go out and do something about it. He is still waiting for all of his donations to come in but he has raised well over $500 already!

Good job Rob. You are inspirational!!!

Wrench Fest for the Route 1 Day Center

This past weekend on Saturday November 13th team AFC assembled as Mike West's house to fix up some older and slightly used bicycles so that they could be donate to the Route 1 Day Center for the homeless. The center will lend these bikes to the homeless that they help as a means of transportation to/from their jobs.

AFC Team Members: Craig D, Greg, Bill B, Alain, Jim K, Steve K, Kevin L, Eric M, Jay M, Ben W, Dave T, Madi W, and Dan H assembled/fixed/repaired a total of 10 bikes to be donated.



-Pat
Adventures For the Cure
LoveLife!

Extreme Weekend 10/15-10/17 2010

Lisa Hardy is a member of the AFC Team and volunteered as a camp counselor during the Extreme Weekend For Children With Diabetes camp that was held this past weekend. Here is her summary of what the camp is all about...

Sandy Hill Campground is any outdoorsy kid's dream. The 211 acres of fields and woods offer many activities. The dining hall with rows of tables and plastic buckets with color-coded labels for knives, forks, and spoons. The soccer fields are strewn with soccer balls and frisbees. The ropes course has pulleys and harnesses, bags of helmets and leather gloves in crates. The wooden buildings for summer bunks are scattered at the top of a bluff over-looking the Chesapeake Bay to the east. Just slightly farther north, the C&D canal connects the Chesapeake to Delaware Bay and out into the Atlantic.
Diabetes camp isn't unlike any other regular summer camp. There are new people to meet, names to remember, camp food to digest, safety lectures to pay attention to. There are feats of strength, fear of heights, homesickness, and disgust of spiders. There's dirt and leaves and scrapes and bruises. But at diabetes camp there are also alcohol swabs, lancets, testing strips and glucose meters. At meals, there are pens and pencils and small squares of paper for campers to add up the carbs they eat at each meal. There are glucose tablets and juice boxes.

Any overnight camp is a character-building experience. Camper/Athletes learn to work together to climb a tower, encourage each other to "super-size" their starting points on the giant swing. (That means start from the highest point, and the scariest) The camper/athletes learn to keep track of their belongings without mom and dad. They make friends, hear inspiring stories from diabetic role models, and learn how to identify plants and seeds in the forest.
But none of that is the real value derived from camp. You can't put a price on the support network that is formed. For people dealing with a serious and sometimes frustrating illness, the real treasure is having peers, doctors, nurses, and resources to turn to when the going gets tough. Maybe they'll learn a tip from fellow diabetic camper/athlete that helps them. Maybe they'll learn about a new technology. Maybe they'll make a commitment to good habits that will avoid a complication or maximize years of healthy living.

All camp kids learn to overcome the stomach butterflies that arrive when you look down from the top of the climbing tower. Just like their non-diabetic peers, DESTINY. Camper/Athletes can take comfort in the camaraderie of having done something difficult with others. Our weekend was great fun, there were no safety incidents, and everyone is looking forward to coming back in the spring!

New Sponsor - Clear Edge IT Solutions, LLC

AFC is extremely happy to welcome our newest sponsor: Clear Edge IT Solutions, LLC. With their generous donation to AFC's 2010 fundraising, they will be helping us to raise money for Kupenda For the Children and Extreme Weekend For Children With Diabetes.

Not only did they make a donation directly to AFC as a sponsor, but at their annual company party they will be having a pie-throwing fundraising event that will benefit our causes!

Patrick Blair, co-founder of AFC, works at this great company. If you would like to know more or are even interested in job opportunities, please contact him at pblair12@gmail.com.

Thank you Clear Edge!

AFC Raises Over $2,500 for Cancer Research

Columbia, Md. (August 31, 2010) - Riders participating on the Adventures For The Cure team in the 24 Hours of Booty raised more than $2,500 in online and offline donations this past weekend for cancer research. 24 Hours of Booty is the official 24-hour ride of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which brings cyclists of all abilities together to raise vital funds for cancer research and survivorship. The non-competitive charity cycling event unites people who are passionate about fighting cancer. By benefiting both The Lance Armstrong Foundation and local, life-changing beneficiaries including the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults based in Howard County, Md., the 24 Hours of Booty experience represents hope, challenge, remembrance and celebration

Since its inception in 2002, 24 Hours of Booty has raised more than $1 million for cancer charities. That adds up to a lot of impactful change for the cancer community. Over $200,000 has been raised thus far from this year's Columbia, Md. event. If you would like to donate, please visit the Adventures For The Cure page.

Here are the local and national cancer charities that 24 Hours of Booty will provide funds to in 2010:

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF)
The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) provides the practical information and tools people with cancer need to live life on their own terms. The LAF serves its mission through advocacy, public health and research.

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF)
Based in Howard County, Maryland, the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF) was established in 1997 by Doug Ulman, a three-time cancer survivor who now serves as president of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The UCF’s mission is to enhance lives by supporting, educating and connecting young adults, and their loved ones, affected by cancer. For more information, visit www.ulmancancerfund.org or call toll-free 888-393-FUND.

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF) was established in 1997 by Doug Ulman, a three-time cancer survivor who now serves as President and CEO of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The UCF's mission is to support, educate and connect young adults affected by cancer.

The Hendrick Marrow Program
The Hendrick Marrow Program works with Be The Match Foundation® to support the work of the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP). It raises money to add more potential marrow donors to the NMDP's Be The Match Registry®, increasing the chances that more patients find their match. It also helps patients pay for some uninsured transplant costs, which are often a barrier to treatment.

The Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas

An organization dedicated to increasing public awareness of the impact of brain tumors along with providing support for the development of comprehensive treatment strategies and cooperative biomedical research efforts.

The Keep Pounding Fund
Honoring the late Carolina Panthers player and coach Sam Mills and former player Mark Fields, this fund benefits the Blumenthal Center for Cancer Research at Carolinas Medical Center.

About the 24 Hours of Booty
24 Hours of Booty, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charity located in Charlotte, NC that provides an extraordinary cycling event that is safe, fun, and open to all levels of cycling ability. The organization and event were named after the three-mile loop of roadway, nicknamed the "Booty Loop" – the location of 24 Hours of Booty of Charlotte – by local runners, cyclists and sports enthusiasts, in Charlotte, N.C.'s tree-lined Myers Park neighborhood. Its mission is to increase cancer awareness, support cancer research and programs and raise funds for The Lance Armstrong Foundation and local cancer charities such as The Keep Pounding Fund at Carolinas Medical Center, the Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas, and the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. Since its inception in 2002, 24 Hours of Booty has raised more than $1 million for cancer charities. For more information, call toll-free at 877-365-4417, or visit www.24hoursofbooty.org.

About Adventures For The Cure
Adventures For The Cure is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization and USA Cycling Club that exists to raise awareness for diabetes, to show adults and children diagnosed with diabetes and their families how leading a healthy and active lifestyle can move you beyond your perceived limits, and to raise funds for diabetes research.

In addition to fighting diabetes, AFC was created to inspire everyone to use their gifts and talents to make positive change in the world around us. We have focused on using our love of cycling to accomplish this task, but any gift or talent can be used to help others and do something good! We are looking for new team members who share this vision.

The organization has also set out to inspire others to live healthy lifestyles and to adventure beyond their perceived limits, because ANYTH!NG Is Possible. For more information, visit www.adventuresforthecure.com.

CE Science Renews its Sponsorship

CE Science has renewed their sponsorship to AFC for this year. Every year we ask that our sponsors make a contribution to our charity in order to keep their official sponsorship status.


Garland Jackson who frequently rides with the many of the AFC Team Members every Tues and Thurs morning on TheMorningRide is owner of CE Science and they are always extremely generous with their sponsorship to AFC! Garland's son Alex Jackson is on the AFC Team and has raced in quite a few cyclocross races wearing the AFC jersey!!

You can read more about this awesome company on their Spring 2010 Newsletter.

Thank you so very much for continuing to support us as we raise money for Kupenda For the Children and Extreme Weekend!

New Sponsor - Marathon Minds

Adventures For the Cure would like to welcome our newest sponsor: Marathon Minds.


"Marathon Minds is a software and IT consulting firm that is happy to support Kupenda for the Children and The Extreme Weekend For Children With Diabetes Camp." - Lance Byrd


Lance and Annie Byrd have been good friends of AFC since our organization started. Lance just recently joined our team and you will be seeing him quite often at the Cyclocross races this season and on our local training rides!

Thank you for your support!!

Ethan Bodnaruk raises $1,090.15 for Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods

Ethan Bodnaruk's AFC Campaign to raise money for Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (SOIL) was a total and complete success! He managed to raise a total of $1,090.15. All of that money will go to SOIL's efforts to help the people of Haiti!

Check out Ethan's blog to read more about his adventures.

Congrats on your accomplishments Ethan!!

WnW Ride Discontinued

The AFC Wednesday Night World ride will be on hold until the next training season. We will probably start it back up in Feb or March 2011. Thanks for coming out!

See our training rides here:
http://adventuresforthecure.com/team/trainingRides.html

Ray Whitney's Mission to Raise Money for Cancer Research

AFC Team Member, Ray Whitney, has set a goal to raise $4,000 for cancer research.


He is going to raise the money by participating in an event called Pelotonia.

For more info on what he is doing check out his super cool blog: Wheelsucker Diaries.

Wednesday Night Worlds @ 5:30pm

WnW will now be starting at 5:30pm on Wednesday nights because we are loosing daylight.

Go here for additional information:
http://adventuresforthecure.com/team/trainingRides.html

Hope to see you all there!

Father and son riding 184 miles for Angelman Syndrome Foundation

Halethorpe, Md. (July 20, 2010) – Today Adventures For the Cure (AFC) announced a new fundraising campaign supporting the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, which provides research and support to fight this neuro-genetic disorder that occurs in 1 in 15,000 live births.

In 2008, AFC led a successful campaign for Luke's Bike. This summer, Luke and Stephen are using the bike to raise funds and awareness for Angelman Syndrome (AS). Luke along with his father Stephen Wright just completed the first leg of their 184-mile journey along the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal towpath.


Stephen Wright riding with son Luke on the bike's maiden voyage.

The following is a ride report from Stephen Wright after the completion of the first leg of their journey.

As many of you know, my son Luke and I are riding the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal towpath from Cumberland, West Virginia to Georgetown in northwest Washington, D.C., in three segments this summer, partly to raise funds and awareness of Angelman Syndrome. The guys at AFC have been great and have helped me set up a campaign on their website. Please inform any of your friends who may be looking for a tax-exempt donation for 2010.

The first segment, from Cumberland, W.V., to Hancock, Md., was completed Saturday July 17th and was a great success. Luke did very well, although I asked him to sit in his seat longer than I had hoped. My goal was to pedal at 15 mph, but that bike, with Luke on it weights over 75 lbs, and is tough to push. I managed 14-15 mph in segments, but mainly it was 12-13 mph for the ride. I was bonking for the last five or so, it was tough. The whole day, my beautiful wife was a perfect sag support. It was her idea to stop at Brewer's Alley in Frederick for a restorative burger and oatmeal stout!

One amazing stroke of luck was at the very end in Hancock. Luke was down and I was getting packed up for the drive home when the front tire started hissing. It just gave up after 60.5 miles, sitting in a parking lot. Although I had a spare and tools, of course, I thought the timing was pretty funny.

Our next leg will be from Hancock to Harper's Ferry, about 63 miles, on Saturday August 7, and the final leg will be Saturday August 28, where we'll sit around having a few pints after the ride. If any are interesting in riding part or all of these rides, let me know by emailing me directly [stephenwright41099 -@- yahoo.com] and I'll communicate the details to those interested. My wife will be in sag support again, but I'm afraid you will have to make all of your own arrangements for transport to and from. Our car can hold any food or water you'd like to have at pre-arranged pit stops. Thanks for considering!

To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit:
AFC Campaign for Angelman Syndrome Foundation
http://adventuresforthecure.com/campaigns/angelmanSyndrome.html

About the Angelman Syndrome Foundation
The Angelman Syndrome Foundation is a national organization of families, caregivers and medical professionals who care about those with Angelman Syndrome. Our mission is to advance the awareness and treatment of Angelman Syndrome through education and information, research, support and advocacy for individuals with Angelman Syndrome, their families, and other concerned parties. To learn more, visit http://www.angelman.org/. For a complete but brief introduction, go to http://www.angelman.org/about-us.

About Adventures for the Cure
Adventures For The Cure (AFC), a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization and USA Cycling club which exists to raise awareness for diabetes, to show those diagnosed with diabetes and their families how leading a healthy and active lifestyle can move you beyond your perceived limits, and to raise funds for diabetes research. In addition to fighting diabetes, AFC was created to inspire everyone to use their gifts and talents to make positive change in the world around us. For more details, visit http://adventuresforthecure.com or on Facebook.

Permanent Link: http://blog.adventuresforthecure.com/2010/07/father-and-son-riding-184-miles-for.html

AFC selected for Lights. Camera. Help. The Nonprofit Film Festival

Austin, Texas, July 15, 2010 - Adventures for the Cure: The Doc has been awarded as an Official Selection of Lights. Camera. Help. The Nonprofit Film Festival 2010. This 2nd annual film festival will be held Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 7:00 PM - Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 10:00 PM (Central Time) in Austin, Texas. AFC's film is scheduled for Thursday evening.


The film was one of 33 films selected from 235 films from around the world and is eligible for the Jury Prize - a cash donation to the causes behind the top three films (long form, short form and public service announcement.

Passes are now available and single-day tickets will go on sale tomorrow.

Adventures for the Cure: The Doc explores the journey when three young men (Adam Driscoll, Patrick Blair and Jesse Stump) set off to cross the United States on single-speed, fixed-gear bicycles, the physical challenge itself is incredibly daunting. But these are not just three tough guys; they ride to raise money and awareness for diabetes and to help disabled Kenyan kids. The film is directed by PHiLLYK and directed by Andrew Bly and co-stars Andy Knowlton and Cindy Bauer.



The film focuses on Adam, himself a Type-1 diabetic who has to manage his illness while riding up to 150 miles a day. And it tells the touching stories of two diabetic children the group meets along the way, and how they change the men's lives. But the ride has its comical side, too: The three are chased by wild dogs in Kentucky, ditch their rain-battered tent in Kansas to sleep on picnic tables, engage in an insane game of "foot down" with a bunch of bikers in Oregon, and struggle hilariously to achieve their goal of singing karaoke in all 16 states they pass through on their zigzag 6,500-mile journey. The trip is one of amazing discovery – of a country of stunning natural beauty and of a nation of incredibly kind and generous souls passed along the way.

"Adventures for the Cure" is narrated by the three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond.

Lights. Camera. Help. is the premiere film festival for non-profit and grass roots organizations. Through this annual event, films and videos with a cause directly related to a non-profit or grass roots organization will be subject to a rigorous criteria by a panel of judges. The films and videos will gain notoriety by being considered the best in one of several distinct categories.

This festival is the first of its kind and is a pillar of the City of Austin, a prominent city in the non-profit, grass roots and activism communities. These organizations, along with filmmakers, will use the festival to spread the word about their cause, develop a community of followers, and expand the film-for-a-cause genre.

About Adventures for the Cure
Adventures For The Cure (AFC), a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization and USA Cycling club which exists to raise awareness for diabetes, to show those diagnosed with diabetes and their families how leading a healthy and active lifestyle can move you beyond your perceived limits, and to raise funds for diabetes research. In addition to fighting diabetes, AFC was created to inspire everyone to use their gifts and talents to make positive change in the world around us. For more details, visit http://adventuresforthecure.com/ or on Facebook.

About Lights. Camera. Help.
Lights. Camera. Help. is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to encouraging other nonprofit and cause-driven organizations to use film and video to tell their stories. They do this through education, volunteer match programs, screenings and an annual film festival. For more information, visit http://www.lightscamerahelp.org

Permanent Link: http://blog.adventuresforthecure.com/2010/07/afc-selected-for-lights-camera-help.html

Race Across America

Yesterday morning at 4:21am Adam Driscoll completed Race Across America winning 1st place! He was racing with Team Type 1 this year as an 8 man team. Their team held an average pace of just over 23mph for the entire race!

1st place!!

Here are videos of Adam and TT1 finishing the race!

All of the racers on Team Type 1 have Type 1 diabetes! Adam has been a member of Team Type 1 for a couple of years now, but since AFC has been doing RAAM he was not able to race for TT1. AFC took a break from RAAM this year so that freed Adam to race for TT1!!

Gooooo Adam!!!

Cynthia Rose Kahn (1970-2010)

Oak Park, Michigan - Cynthia Rose Kahn died June 7 at age 39. Funeral services will be held tomorrow Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 2:30 p.m at Hebrew Memorial in Oak Park, Michigan.

The family will be sitting shiva in the home of Cynthia’s parents. Information about the service and the shiva are posted at the Hebrew Memorial website. Please note that it is not appropriate to send cut flowers for a Jewish service. It is acceptable to send a plant or send food, if you wish to send something to the family.

Cynthia is survived by her parents Rhoda and Ted Kahn, grandfather Sol Gold, brothers Jeremy (Elizabeth) Kahn, David (Leonie) Kahn and Daniel (Janet Williamson) Kahn along with many loving uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.

The family asks those who wish to further honor the memory of CYNTHIA ROSE KAHN do so by contributing to Extreme Weekend for Children with Diabetes. Per the family's request, we have established the Cynthia Kahn Memorial Fund at http://adventuresforthecure.com/extremeWeekend/cynthiaKahnMemorialFund.html.

Cynthia, a diabetic, twice graciously served as a camp volunteer for Adventure For the Cure's Extreme Weekend. On behalf of the entire AFC family, we shares our sympathies with family and friends in the outpouring of condolences and fond memories from postings at PH/HA MLA, TuDiabetes, Twitter and Facebook communities.

Cynthia was an active member of the Public Health/Health Administration (PH/HA), a section of the Medical Library Association (MLA) and served as the Head of Public Services for the Harriet F. Ginsberg Health Sciences Library at University of Central Florida College of Medicine. Prior to this, she served as Reference and Instruction Librarian, George Washington University Medical Center.

A tireless champion of the health field, Cynthia Kahn, MILS, MPH, AHIP earned her Master's degrees from the University of Michigan in Information and Library Science and in Public Health (Health Management and Policy). Cynthia was a Senior Member of the Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP). Cynthia received her bachelor's degree at the University of Eastern Michigan in French Language and Travel and Tourism.

Cynthia was also a member of the Diabetes Exercise and Sports Association (DESA), Archivists and Librarians in the History of the Health Sciences (ALHHS), Medical Library Association (MLA), Mid-Atlantic Chapter (MAC) of the Medical Library Association (MLA), and Washington Society for the History of Medicine (WSHM). She is a three-time recipient of the Grace and Harold Sewell Memorial Fund Learning Fellowship.

Cynthia Kahn Memorial Fund

http://adventuresforthecure.com/extremeWeekend/cynthiaKahnMemorialFund.html

Darrell and Simone - fighting Cystic Fibrosis

Team AFC members Simone Jowett and Darrell Cook held a fundraiser at Lures Bar & Grille in Crownsville, MD on April 27th to generate money for Cystic Fibrosis (CF).

Darrell's 8-year daughter Celia Grace has CF, a fatal genetic condition that affects the lungs and pancreas and often leads to CF-related diabetes at a young age.

The event was a success, and the turnout, including fellow AFC members Adam Driscoll and Mike Caputi, was fantastic. Based on the restaurant's donation of a portion of its proceeds, the sale of blue "Breathe" bracelets, and the 50/50 raffle, Darrell and Simone brought in over $700.00!!

They are hoping that this is just the start, as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's major annual fundraiser, Great Strides, is coming up in the next few weeks. Darrell and Simone both have websites, at which donations for Great Strides can be made on his daughter's behalf: http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/DarrellCook and http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/SimoneJowett. Thanks to all of you who support this worthy cause!

Wednesday Night Worlds - Training Ride

Wed Night Worlds ride is a road bike training ride.

It will start at 6:00pm every Wednesday at the Park 'n Ride located at the intersection of I-195 and Rolling Road in Catonsville, MD. Look for us at the top of the Patapsco trail head across the street from the Park 'n Ride.

Here are the details on the ride:

Normally this ride will be very fast but these first few weeks we will be going a little slower to make sure everyone knows the route. Most likely there will be two groups tomorrow and anyone is invited to come!

Here is the route:http://bit.ly/aOhEYI

Sprint/King Of Mountain (KOM) points on the ride:

1 - Sprint at Church Ln on Race Rd in Elkridge (about mile 10)

2 - KOM at top of Illchester @Beechwood (about mile 18.5)

3 - KOM at Bonnie Branch and 103. (about mile 26)

AFC helps at Helping Up Mission

Yesterday, Saturday May 1st, ten AFC Team Members led by teammate Paul Patarini and newly appointed AFC Community Events Coordinator Stacey Rohr went to downtown Baltimore to help at Helping Up Mission (HUM).

HUM is a Christian based organization that has created a long-term residential Spiritual Recovery Program for men struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.

(The AFC Team at HUM)

Tracy Driscoll was one of the AFC Team Members who went to HUM yesterday. Here is her account of how it went:

Yesterday I had the opportunity to serve for the first time at the Helping Up Mission or "HUM". A spiritually based recovery program for men struggling with addiction. Myself and a few other AFC team members got to take a tour of the HUM facility, meet some folks in the recovery process, and serve dinner.

We were introduced to HUM by Barry, one of the graduates from the Mission and now a full time staff member. I was humbled by how honest so many of the men we met were. Several of the men we met shared their testimonies with us and their stories.

One of the reoccurring themes I saw with the men we met was their level of transparency. The HUM was a huge facility with several newer buildings. One of newer buildings we toured was the church sanctuary where worship and bible studies were held. On display in the hall were pictures painted and drawn by men in the mission.

At HUM men struggling with addiction and homelessness can seek refuge and recovery. HUM was able to provided medical, dental, and vision appointments to men in the program as well as an opportunity to further their education with GED classes available and tutoring. HUM also offered many of the men a strong support network to help them during their recovery. Program participants attended a series of addiction recovery classes, bible studies, and support groups. Each man participating in the program was assigned a different work responsibility at the mission. Their were men who helped cook/prepare meals, peace keepers who maintained an eye on the grounds, maintenance men and more.

Perhaps what I found to be most impressionable was that many of the men who graduated from the program remained at HUM to intern and serve as staff in helping others through the recovery phase.

Myers captures Maryland State Championship

Hagerstown, Md. - Several riders from the Adventures For the Cure (AFC) team showed the "polka dot power" at the Greenbriar Challenge/Maryland State Championships mountain bike races this past weekend at Greenbriar State Park.

The Greenbriar Challenge is the Maryland State Championships, a points race for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship and a qualifier for the USA Cycling National Championship in mountain bike racing. Awards presentations for the USAC State Champion Titles and Medals to the top 3 Licensed finishers in each class (except Clydesdale, Single Speed and Marathon) were presented.

Hannah Myers took home top prize in the Junior Female 13-14 category and has qualified for the USA Cycling National Championship.

Esther Schaftel captured a spot on the podium by finishing in 4th place in the Female Marathon division. Keith Rohr finished in 5th place in the Category 2 Male Masters 40-44. According to the Potomac Velo website, since the Greenbrier Challenge is both an American Mountain Bike Challenge (AMBC) race and a State Championship race, the top 15 riders in each 5 year age bracket of each class at the Greenbrier race will automatically qualify, and will receive a USAC invitation in the mail/email.

While USAC State Championship titles/medals were not awarded in the Clydesdale, Single Speed and Marathon divisions, the Adventures For the Cure riders showed well:

• Esther Schaftel captured a spot on the podium by finishing in 4th place in the Female Marathon division.


• Patrick Blair and Adam Driscoll finished 1-2 atop the podium in the Male Single Speed category. Mike Caputi finished in 17th place.

Photos taken at the 2010 Greenbriar Challenge can be located at http://www.pbase.com/gmr2048/2010_greenbrier_challenge. All shots ©2010 Gary Ryan, TooFatToRace ( http://blog.toofattorace.com ).

About Adventures for the Cure
Adventures For The Cure (AFC), a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization and USA Cycling club which exists to raise awareness for diabetes, to show those diagnosed with diabetes and their families how leading a healthy and active lifestyle can move you beyond your perceived limits, and to raise funds for diabetes research. The organization also raises awareness and funds for other causes that the board of directors has selected. For more details, visit http://adventuresforthecure.com/ or on Facebook.

Extreme Weekend - Total Success

Extreme Weekend For Children with Diabetes is an annual weekend camp for children with diabetes. Our last camp that was held on April 9-11, 2010 was a total success!!

The next camp will be on October 15-17, 2010. It will be held at Sandy Hill Camp in North East, MD. Sign up will be available soon!

-Pat
LoveLife!

TMR: Group is serious only about bicycling

Check out a recent Baltimore Sun article on 'The Morning Ride' (TMR) cycling group which Adventures for the Cure supports and vice versa!

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/bal-ho.neighbors21mar21,0,7066700.story

AFC calls for support of volunteer fire departments

Halethorpe, Md. - Adventures For the Cure (AFC) had the 2nd annual AFC Sugar Hill XC MTB race this past Saturday at Patapsco Valley State Park and what an awesome day it was! Thank you so much to everyone who helped make it a great race!

As always we are required by the park to have EMT's attend our race, for obvious reasons. Graciously the Howard County Fire Department donated their time by lending us 8 or so volunteers, two ambulances and a gator. The volunteers and equipment came from two local Volunteer Fire Departments, Elkridge and Clarksville.

Last year many people form the AFC team went out and supported the fire department by attending their pancake breakfast, we thought it'd be great to do the same this year! Please check out the details below on the upcoming pancake/country breafasts at the Elkridge and Clarksville VFD's. Please consider attending if you are able to and don't forget to wear your AFC polka dots! Thanks so much everyone and have a great day! (Ryan and I will be going to the Clarksville breakfast at around 8 AM this Sunday!)

Clarksville VFD's Country Breakfast
When: Sunday 3/28 (THIS WEEKEND!)
Where: 5th District VFD Clarksville; 5000 Signal Bell Lane, Clarksville, MD 21029
Time: 8:00 am - 12:00 noon
Price: Adults (11-59) - $9; Seniors (>60) - $8; Children (5-10) - $5; Children under 4 - free
http://www.fdvfd.com/fund-raising.php

Elkridge VFD's Pancake Breakfast
When: Sunday 4/11
Where: Station 1; 6275 Old Washington Rd., Elkridge, MD 21075
Time: 7:30 am - 11:00 am
Price: Adults - $7; Seniors (over 55) - $6; Children (5-12) - $5; Children under 5 - free
http://www.elkridgevfd.org/index.cfm?fs=events.eventView&Event_ID=48

-Laura Matt
AFC Sugar Hill MTB Race Director

Driscoll Speaking at Parents of Children with Diabetes Meeting at AAMC Health Sciences Pavillion in Annapolis

Parents of Children with Diabetes Meeting at AAMC Health Sciences Pavillion in Annapolis Calendar Of Events (www.HometownAnnapolis.com - The Capital)

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5K for Healthy Hearts presented by Women's Healthy H.E.A.R.T

Costa Mesa, CA / Halethorpe, MD - Feb. 21, 2010 - Women's Healthly H.E.A.R.T. (WHH Fitness) is proud to present their 5K for Healthy Hearts on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 8am at Experian in Costa Mesa, CA. All the money donated for this 5K will go directly to Adventures For the Cure's Extreme Weekend For Children With Diabetes.

To donate, please visit:
http://adventuresforthecure.com/campaigns/whhFitness5k.html
or
http://www.razoo.com/story/5-K-For-Healthy-Hearts-Presented-By-Whh-Fitness


About Women's Healthy H.E.A.R.T
Women's Healthy H.E.A.R.T. is an organization that strives to change thousands of women’s lives through special exercises, counseling, action, and connection with friends and women going through the same struggles with weight loss.
To learn more visit our website at http://www.womenshealthyheart.org/ or on Facebook.

About Adventures for the Cure
Adventures For The Cure (AFC), a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization and USA Cycling club which exists to raise awareness for diabetes, to show those diagnosed with diabetes and their families how leading a healthy and active lifestyle can move you beyond your perceived limits, and to raise funds for diabetes research. The organization also raises awareness and funds for other causes that the board of directors has selected. For more details, visit http://adventuresforthecure.com/ or on Facebook.

Update From Kupenda

Lauren Blair, who is on the AFC Board of Directors, recently went to Kenya with Kupenda for the Children to do research for a book that she is writing about the organization. While she was there she had the children of Kupenda pose for this picture thanking AFC for all the help we have given them through the years! AWESOME!

-Pat
LoveLife!

AFC helps children in Haiti via USNS Comfort

Halethorpe, Md., Feb. 09, 2010 - Members of the Adventures for the Cure racing team answered the call for assistance from Erica Reed, one of two pediatricians serving Operation Unified Response aboard the USNS Comfort during its humanitarian and civic assistance mission in Haiti following the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the Caribbean nation Jan 12. The USNS Comfort is a hospital ship that is three football fields long and one wide and has 250 hospital beds and a 550-person medical team that includes trauma surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, head and neck surgeons, eye surgeons and obstetricians and gynecologists.

Adventures for the Cure team members gathered numerous items from a wish list provided by Erica including children's games, toys, coloring books, Crayons, diapers, clothing and underwear for infants and young children.

To learn more about Operation Unified Response aboard the USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), visit http://haiticomfort.blogspot.com/.

About Adventures for the Cure
Adventures For The Cure (AFC), a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization and USA Cycling club which exists to raise awareness for diabetes, to show those diagnosed with diabetes and their families how leading a healthy and active lifestyle can move you beyond your perceived limits, and to raise funds for diabetes research. The organization also raises awareness and funds for other causes that the board of directors has selected. For more details, visit http://adventuresforthecure.com/.

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2009: The year in review ..

Halethorpe, Md., Jan. 08, 2010 - The past year of 2009 was an incredible year for Adventures for the Cure (AFC). The support we received from our donors, fans and supporters inspired us to improve our outreach programs and services to adults and children living with diabetes and our support for other worthy causes such as Kupenda for the Children and beyond.

Also, check out this athlete profile video spotlighting AFC co-founder Adam Driscoll at the JDRF 2009 Capitol Chapter Gala.



And now, a serious (and not-so-serious) look back at 2009 ...

January

• Website is created for Adventures for the Cure: The Doc at www.adventuresforthecuremovie.com.
• Kris' Kayak Adventure Campaign nets $965 (led by Kristopher Auer) for AFC's Extreme Weekend (children with diabetes camp) and World Bicycle Relief.
• Luke's Bike Campaign raises more than $2,000 (led by Bike Doctor Linthicum and Brown Cycles) for bicycle built for special needs child.

February

• Luke rides on his maiden voyage on special bicycle.
• Lots and lots of base miles and training in preparation for record-setting push at the 2009 Race Across America (RAAM) in June. Did we mention it's still cold outside?

March

• Princeton Sports presents Adam Driscoll and Pat Blair with Cannondale road and time trial bicycles for the 2009 Race Across America (RAAM).

April

• AFC holds 1st (Annual) AFC Sugar Hill Cross-Country Mountain Bike (XC MTB) Race; raises more than $3,000 for diabetes programs.
• 2^nd Annual UMBC Cycle-o-Thon (led by Adam Driscoll, Alex Driscoll and Pat Blair and fellow UMBC cyclists) raise funds for Extreme Weekend and Kupenda for the Children.
• AFC has over 20 riders compete in Baker's Dozen 13-hour Mountain Bike Race.

May

• AFC holds 1st (Annual) Black-and-White Night for fundraising ($6,700+) and fun-raising.
• AFC holds 1st Extreme Weekend for Children with Diabetes Camp and it becomes an instant success with campers.
• AFC is one of the top 5 fundraising teams for the 2009 Maryland Tour de Cure supporting the American Diabetes Association; raising more than $8,000.
• Adam Driscoll wins 1st place (Road Cat. 3/4) at Sunday's Bound Brook Criterium at the Tour of Somerville.

June

• AFC's Adam Driscoll and Patrick Blair (and support crew!) compete and win the 2-man division of the 3,021-mile transcontinental event at the 2009 Race Across America (RAAM), The World's Toughest Bike Race. Raise over $30,000 for Extreme Weekend and Kupenda for the Children.
• AFC goes Web 2.0 - uses Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Picasa, Flickr and other 25 social media sites to get connect with our fans, donors and supporters. David Harrity is expected to announce his entire takeover of the Internet. ;-)
• 
  

July

• Adam and Pat sleep for 30-days straight after RAAM (haha, that's meant to be a joke).
• Greg Young competes in Swimming For Water Campaign and AFC releases more than $10,000 to Kupenda for the Children and Blood:Water Mission.
• Adam Driscoll and Tracy Kessler are married on July 12th.
• Phelps Luck swim team campaigns for AFC with swim-a-thon to raise funds for Extreme Weekend for children with diabetes.

August

• Nate and Sarah Mudd get married and perform outstanding gesture to support AFC.
• Mark Pare (AFC racing team) conquers the famous (and ultra-tough) Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hill Climb; raises more than $450.

September

• Matt Gilman - Blind Time Trials Rider - joins the AFC Team; Matt was blinded by Type 1 diabetes but that doesn't stop him from performing incredible observed bike trial rides.
• Laura Matt and David Harrity become newest members of the AFC Board of Directors.
• AFC wins big at the Sugar Free Miles 5k (supporting diabetes causes). Top 2 overall (Adam Driscoll, Pat Blair), 2nd female (Tracy Kessler Driscoll) and age-group winner (Jennifer Blandford).
• CYCLOCROSS!!! AFC team members like to get muddy and so begins the cyclocross season with events from the 2009 Mid-Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association (MABRA) and Mid-Atlantic Cross (MAC) series.
• Adam Driscoll crushes the competition and wins the Cat B (Cat. 2/3/4) event at Charm City Cyclocross in Baltimore, Md.; moves up to Elite Men's (Cat. 1/2/3) races after that.

October

• Annapolis Area Christian School students (led by Roberto Irias) raise more than $5,000 with AFC Bike-a-thon for Kenyan youth suffering from skin cancer due to albinism; funds go to support surgery and medical treatments.
• "AFC Headquarters" gets much needed "woman's touch" with fresh coats of paint. (Why is this significant you ask? You have to seen the "before" and "after" shots of the townhouse to truly know why.) ;-)
• University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Magazine spotlights Adventures for the Cure and its causes.
• By now, AFC members have easily ridden over 5,000 miles of early morning rides as part of TheMorningRide.com (TMR). Debate rages on whether that exceeds the amount of emails flying around the TMR's Google Group. ;-)
• Team Adventures for the Cure racers (Bill Vickers and Mike Berry) win the EDGE 6-Hour Adventure Race.
• Adam Driscoll competes in first UCI-level race at Granogue Cross; some say it was a bit muddy (that's the understatement of the century, check out this video!)
• Numerous AFC team members compete in the Baltimore Marathon (running), Seagull Century Ride (cycling), Little River 24-hour Challenge (mountain biking), and Iron Cross (cyclocross)
• Jose Cepeda captured 1st place in his age group (and 6th overall) wearing his Adventures for the Cure skinsuit at the 2009 Bassman Duathlon (3.1 mile run, 58 mile bike, 13.1 mile run) held in Bass River, New Jersey. Columbia-Md.-based Allyson Tufano garnered 2nd place female overall (and 4th overall).
• Kristen Hughes Wimmer wins the solo female division in the 9 Hours of Endurance Duathlon (trail running and mountain biking relay) event at the EX2 Day of Endurance.
• Laura Matt and Erin Wells win the Duo Female Division of the 6 Hours of Mountain Biking event at EX2 Day of Endurance.
• Tracy Kessler capturing first overall female with a time of 22:51. And, Jen Blandford 3rd overall female with a time of 23:30 at the Harvest Harrier 5K Trail Run

November

• By now, AFC team members have likely had over 1,000 gallons of CeraSport - our favorite performance-enhancing energy/re-hydration drink.
• AFC supports the annual World Diabetes Day on November 14th.
• Keith Rohr captures career first win (and 2nd win and ...) in cyclocross.
• AFC captures 5th place overall in team standings for the 2009 MABRA Cyclocross Series Championship. Incredible support throughout season from family and friends, thanks!
• AFC wins "Suitcase full of Sausage" at the Tacchino Ciclocross race (yeah, we're still trying to figure that one out. ;-)
• Adam Driscoll wins the 2009 Maryland State Cyclocross Championship (Elite Men).
• Keith Rohr wins the 2009 MABRA Cyclocross Series Championship (Master's Cat. 3/4).
• Steve Klose wins the 2009 Maryland State Cyclocross Championship (Master's Cat. 3/4).
• Avy Rohr wins the 2009 MABRA Cyclocross Series Championship, Race Championship and Maryland State Championship (Junior Women U16).
• AFC begins the Christmas for Kupenda Campaign to raise funds for children with disabilities.

December

• Conducted "Living with Diabetes" education session with staff at the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Service.
• Adam Driscoll is upgraded to Category 1 Cyclocross by USA Cycling.
• Patrick Blair is upgraded to Category 2 Cyclocross by USA Cycling.
• Andrey Doroshenko is upgraded to Category 3 Cyclocross by USA Cycling.
• AFC documentary film is shown as pre-quel to the DC Bicycle Film Festival.
• GovLoop members and its AwesomeGov Fund supporters vote AFC as top charity and award more than $1,780.
• AFC supporters raise more than $3,500 in our Christmas for Kupenda Campaign.

Stay tuned for what's on the horizon in 2010.

Love Life!

AFC raises more than $3,500 for disabled children

Washington, DC - Jan. 05, 2010 - This Christmas, Adventures for the Cure (AFC) once again joined forces with Kupenda for the Children.

As a part of our Christmas Campaign for Kupenda, AFC raised over $3,500 for children with disabilities in Kenya! During the holiday season, supporters of both organizations were encouraged to buy a gift (or a share of a gift) in a loved one's name for Kupenda. Gifts included physical therapy, emergency medical attention, classroom furniture, assistance equipment, corrective surgery, and student/teacher supplies. Due to your generosity and compassion in giving the most meaningful of gifts, the lives of children with disabilities will be dramatically changed in the new year! Thank you!

While this specific campaign is over, AFC continues to accept general donations for our numerous programs and donors may designate support children with disabilities via Kupenda.

About Kupenda for the Children
Kupenda for the Children is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt Christian-based organization that exists to meet the needs of children, with disabilities. Ultimately the goal is that these children will feel that they are loved and accepted.

Kupenda for the Children meets this mission through advocacy and sponsorship of school fees, child assistance and medical intervention, construction of special needs facilities, and the coordination of volunteer assistance. Kupenda serves children with disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, deafness, deformed or missing limbs, spina bifida, the effects of polio, visual impairment, Downs' syndrome, autism, epilepsy, and other physical and mental disabilities. To learn more, visit http://www.kupenda.org/.

About Adventures for the Cure
Adventures For The Cure (AFC), a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization and USA Cycling club which exists to raise awareness for diabetes, to show those diagnosed with diabetes and their families how leading a healthy and active lifestyle can move you beyond your perceived limits, and to raise funds for diabetes research. The organization also raises awareness and funds for other causes that the board of directors has selected. For more details, visit http://adventuresforthecure.com/.