Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

AdventureCORPS is pleased to have produced Ride to Cure Diabetes events on behalf of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation from 2001 through 2007 in Death Valley, in Monterey in 2003 and 2004, and in the Santa Rosa Wine Country in 2007.

The Rides to Cure Diabetes are held in support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation -- the world's leading nongovernmental, nonprofit funder of research to cure Type 1 diabetes, which strikes children suddenly, makes them insulin dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications.

Founded by parents of children with type 1 juvenile diabetes, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has always focused on a single goal—accelerating research progress to cure diabetes and its complications. To that end, their research management process is unique—they're organized as a diabetes cure enterprise. They take informed risks, continuously monitor the global diabetes research landscape, and make research investments strategically, to ensure that resources are effectively directed to research with the greatest impact leading to a cure as soon as possible.

This unwavering dedication has led JDRF to award more money for diabetes research than any other charitable organization—more than $900 million since our founding in 1970, including over $122 million in FY 2006 alone. More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. In FY2005, JDRF funded 500 centers, grants, and fellowships in 19 countries. In addition, their advocacy has spurred government, especially the National Institutes of Health, to increase its investment in type 1 diabetes research to unprecedented levels.

Located in southern California, Death Valley is one of the most other-worldly of America's natural wonders- an eerie panorama of salt flats, pre-historic rock formations and varying elevations. With rolling hills and steep mountains, Death Valley is famous for Badwater, which at 282 feet below sea level is the lowest point in North America. Badwater also happens to be the first checkpoint on the Ride route! The area where we cycle is also historic, actually pre-historic. Geologists say its rock formations date back to the Pre-Cambrian era. Native Americans first settled here 9000 years ago! Participants in JDRF's signature Ride event stay at the Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort surrounded by the desert of Death Valley National Park, CA- just 120 miles northwest of Las Vegas and 275 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Opened in 1927 by the Pacific Borax Company, this resort is a tribute to the historical riches of California's past. Furnace Creek Ranch is the home base during the Ride weekend. The average temperature during the stay can vary between low 80's to low 90's.

Webcasts

You can check out our 2001-2007 webcasts below. Enjoy!

	October 20, 2007 Death Valley Ride to Cure Diabetes Slideshows
	June 23, 2007 Sonoma Wine Country Ride to Cure Diabetes Slideshows
	October 21, 2006 Death Valley Ride to Cure Diabetes Slideshows
	May 6, 2006 Death Valley Ride to Cure Diabetes Slideshows
	October 22, 2005 Death Valley Ride to Cure Diabetes Slideshows
	October 23, 2004 Death Valley Ride to Cure Diabetes Slideshows
	May 15, 2004 Monterey Ride to Cure Diabetes Slideshows
	October 25 & 27, 2003 Death Valley Ride to Cure Diabetes Slideshows
	May 31, 2003 Monterey Ride to Cure Diabetes Slideshows
	October 26, 2002 Death Valley Ride to Cure Diabetes Slideshows
	November 3, 2001 Death Valley Ride to Cure Diabetes Slideshows

Reports from Riders

	No Limits: Bob "Sponge Bob" Paxson—508 veteran, AC event staffer, and fund-raiser for JDRF— unveils his history as a diabetic and ultracyclist.
	David Nestvold sent this note, and shared with us how his family is impacted by diabetes.
	This letter came from a finisher of the 2002 Death Valley ride, and expresses how his life was touched by the ride and by the disease itself.