Right now 7% of Americans, or 20.8 million people, have diabetes, including 88,000 in Idaho .  More astonishing, however, is that about a third of these people don’t know it. What’s more, the Idaho Statesman reports that the CDC estimates that in the US today more than 2 million young people show signs of “pre-diabetes.”  When left uncontrolled, diabetes leads to devastating complications — heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, amputations.  But when individuals learn how to self-manage their diabetes and control their blood sugars, they cut their risk for complications in half.

The Diabetes Ride: A volunteer effort:

The Idaho Arabian Breeders Association and Southwest Idaho Trail and Distance Riders joined efforts eleven years ago to organize The Diabetes Ride.  Today this unique event is a draw for families from throughout the Treasure Valley and beyond who enjoy the benefits of fresh air and camaraderie with fellow riders, supporters, volunteers and those who want to support a community effort to educate the public about the risks of this disease and support diabetes education and research. 

This unique event is a trail ride in the Eagle foothills attracting 200 – 350 riders every year.  Riders can choose between three trails that are on private property.  Riders pay a $30 entrance fee that includes the trail ride, a raffle ticket, and a great BBQ hosted by H&M Meats after the ride.  Many riders choose to raise pledges rather than pay the entry fee to compete for prizes.  Riders that pay a $30 entry fee earn a ride T-shirt and riders that raise a minimum of $175 begin earning gift certificates from D&B Supply.  The more ambitious riders who raise a minimum of $1,000 compete for Grand Prizes.

 In addition, every rider has a chance to participate in a raffle.  Raffle prizes include gift certificates to local restaurants, horse tack and feed, movie and theatre passes — the list goes on and on!  Additional raffle tickets can be purchased at the ride.  The event also features a silent auction.  BBQ tickets can be purchased for individuals who do not ride for $10.

 The Beneficiaries:

Proceeds from the event benefit two local non-profit organizations dedicated to educating local people with diabetes: Camp Hodia and Humphreys Diabetes Center .

Humphreys Diabetes Center provides education and individual counseling in diabetes self-management, prevention classes, support groups, school services and an educational day camp for young children with type 1 diabetes.  Founded by community leader and bank CEO Fred Humphreys, the center’s goal is to educate and provide services to patients, healthcare providers and the public, including the uninsured, and others who otherwise cannot pay for services.

 Camp Hodia, produced by Hodia is a youth camp program. The Idaho Youth Diabetes Program, is organized and staffed by volunteers.  For many of the campers, this is their first time away from home.  Camp Hodia’s programs foster self-esteem and self-reliance in a safe, healthy environment. Campers learn self care, good nutrition and blood-sugar control. They develop healthier habits in exercise and nutrition. Many learn to give their first insulin shot - a big step toward independence. The realities of diabetes are not easy, but Camp Hodia helps young people with diabetes be happy, healthy and productive.