The American Diabetes Association Hampton Roads chapter last week kicked off the 2019 Tour de Cure with a party and awards ceremony at Roger Brown’s Restaurant and Sports Bar in Portsmouth.

If you’ve been thinking of getting involved, now is the best opportunity you’ll have between now and the event on April 27. Registering and beginning to fundraise early gives you the best chance to raise more money and train well for the bicycle ride or the run/walk.

Tour de Cure is an annual fundraiser that, in Hampton Roads, has been held in Suffolk for the better part of a decade. It raises money for the American Diabetes Association to support research, education and advocacy efforts. It’s returning to the Suffolk Executive Airport for the second year this year and will feature a 5K run and walk as well as four different routes for cyclists, ranging from the doable 12-miler to the grueling 100-miler. Even if you don’t feel up to making the run or the bike ride happen, maybe you can come out to volunteer, to cheer on the participants or even just to learn more about diabetes and how the American Diabetes Association helps those with diabetes.

“Your support has allowed the ADA to continue to be a leader for the diabetes community, advocating for fair treatment on Capitol Hill, driving critical developments in research for a cure and providing the necessary education and resources for those in need of support,” event chair Arlene Sadoff said at last week’s event, perfectly summing up what the American Diabetes Association is all about.

Diabetes is one of America’s worst preventable killers, and it hits Suffolk families particularly hard. We encourage all who are able to sign up to participate in this year’s Tour in some way.