Local cyclist prepares to raise funds for diabetes

Monday, October 9, 2006 1:06 PM CDT

Cyclists in Watertown are preparing to raise funds for research to find a cure for juvenile type 1 diabetes.

On Saturday, Oct. 21, Jerry Groehler, of Watertown, will join 300 other cycling enthusiasts from around the country to ride amid Death Valley National Park. The ride is 105 miles and riders have about 10 hours to complete it. Groehler rides with Team Wisconsin, last year the team had 67 riders.

Groehler was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 14 years ago. He will be participating in the Youth Ambassador Program and will ride to sponsor two local youths from Watertown.

Matt Polensky, 8, son of Jim and Kathy Polensky, was diagnosed at 14 months old. Alicia Strupp, 12, daughter of Peter and Mary Strupp, was diagnosed at age 10. Groehler, Polensky and Strupp all use insulin pumps to manage their diabetes.

Finding a cure for diabetes would mean the end to daily finger pricks to test blood sugar and injections of insulin for diabetes patients.

ADVERTISEMENT

Each rider has been challenged to raise a minimum of $3,500 in order to be eligible to participate in the ride.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation works to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

To make a donation to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation make checks payable to JDRF and mail to Jerry Groehler, N500 Wiley Road, Watertown, WI 53098. Or donate online at http://ride.jdrf.org/. Click on donate and enter the rider's name: Jerald Groehler.

For more information, call (920) 925-3450.