WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Jared, my son, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) just after his 2nd birthday. We were scared and in complete shock. A couple of years after his diagnosis, we became involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
Jared at age 2, when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
We initially got involved to meet others that had T1D and learn about how to care for a child that has it. We also joined so my son could meet other children that had diabetes. This helped us all learn how to cope – realizing that he was not alone; that he was not the only one that had to take the injections and do the finger pokes. Through the years we've developed a really great core of people that have been friends of ours for 28+ years now.
When we became members in 1989, the local chapter was very small. It had been started by a few other parents, about 5-10 years before we joined. I have served as secretary, sat on the board, and was president in 1990 and 1991. With no paid staff, all fundraising was led by volunteers. We started efforts with a walk at Henry Vilas Zoo and shortly after that we started a Gala.
Years later, my entire family still volunteers at the Gala. It’s so heartwarming to see how much the local chapter has grown. They now have three paid staff members and the Gala itself just raised over $500,000.
A NEW EXPERIENCE
Our family led a team that participated in the Walk to Cure Diabetes for years and years. (We dragged Jared’s brother along to all the events!) When my boys got older and were no longer interested in doing the walks, we looked for something else to do to stay involved. We decided that bike riding might be an option. The JRDF had just started the Ride to Cure Diabetes and the second year it was held, in 2004, was the year I decided to begin training for it. Back then, all the foundation had was the 100 mile Death Valley ride, unlike the multiple rides like they do now.
I had never ridden more than 10 miles or trained for any athletic undertaking like that -- it was a totally new experience! But the JDRF recruited a coach and a team, and off we went, training for our bike race. After months of training, I finished! It was one of the best moments of my life.
Laura at her first Death Valley ride in 2004.
MILES AND MILES
Over the next few years I did the 100 mile rides in Montana, Vermont, and returned to Death Valley last year. This year's ride, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, will be my 7th ride.
The training leading up to each ride is about 2,000 miles. It takes commitment to put in the seat time needed to be comfortable riding 100 miles.
The 100 miles are covered all in one day. We start Saturday at 7am and ride until we are finished. Whatever kind of weather we get, that’s what we ride in. Especially in Death Valley, we start out cold in full jackets and long pants because it’s 30 degrees in the desert in the morning, and shed clothes as we go. Rain or shine, we ride!
Laura (2nd from right) in a pace line at Death Valley in 2015
A lot of people that have type 1 diabetes also do the rides. They are so comfortable doing the ride because so many of us are familiar with their needs and they don’t feel ostracized by having to do a blood test in front of everyone. My son, Jared, participated in his first ride in 2012 with his girlfriend, Nikki, who is now his wife!
Jared and Nikki at the finish of their first ride in 2012. Laura and her husband, Tim, volunteered at the ride.
A GREAT PLACE TO WORK
I joined Hausmann-Johnson Insurance (HJI) as part of the Johnson Insurance merger in 1999. They’ve always been so wonderful about contributing to the cause no matter what I was involved with each year. HJI bought a table back in the early days when we did the Gala. (Tables back then were $100 and the Gala was a fashion show! We’ve done a little bit of everything!) HJI has allowed me to do different fundraisers, like bake sales, here in the office. They’ve let me promote my fundraising efforts to the employees to ask for contributions. Last year, when I decided it was time to try Death Valley again, they were very supportive by allowing me to approach our carriers and hold a carrier fundraiser to raise the money I needed to participate in the ride. Just to have the support behind me all these years, no matter what it was, has meant so much.
I also wouldn't be able to train for all the rides without the support of HJI. Being able to go out and do a training ride midweek if I need to is great. My rides can’t always happen in the evening. Sometimes I have to fit in a lunch time ride and I have to take off of work to do it. To know that there isn’t any negative feedback towards my commitment is so appreciated.
Laura (right) at the Montana Ride to Cure Diabetes
LOOKING FORWARD
The JDRF is a great organization. They are one of the leading organizations as far as giving funds directly towards research. Since my son has been diagnosed, the advancements that have been made are just amazing. He is now on an insulin pump, so he doesn’t have to do the injections himself. The next step is getting on a continuous glucose monitor so he won't have to do the finger pokes to test his sugar levels. As you can imagine, after 28 years of poking your fingers there are a lot of callouses built up and you have to go pretty deep to get a blood sample! The advancements have made diabetes easier to live with, but it is still a chronic condition that involves constant monitoring. It is a life threatening disease, but so many people do so well with it that it is often hard for people to understand.
Jared and his wife, Nikki, at their wedding
My family and I have stayed involved with the JDRF and believe so much in a cure. We know that there is a way to find a cure and that the way is through funding research. That’s why I continue to be involved and fundraise through the bike rides.
Hausmann Johnson Insurance was recognized on the list of '50 Best Workplaces for Giving Back' by Fortune. Laura is one of the many examples of how associates dedicate their time and talents to amazing causes in the community. She will be covering another 100 miles on her bike this August at the Ride to Cure Diabetes in La Crosse, WI . Her fundraising page can be found here.
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