VSP® Vision Care and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) are having a 24-hour spin-a-thon to raise awareness about diabetes today, April 3. Their goal is to bring attention to diabetes for 24 hours since people with diabetes have to live with it 24/7. Teams participating in this event will include VSP, the ADA, Hewlett Packard, Intel and Sutter Health.

Team Type 1’s Kyle Rose was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 16. Kyle came down with a strep throat that lingered, and it was his family eye doctor who suggested he get tested for diabetes. High blood sugar levels landed him in the hospital for four nights, and he was diagnosed with diabetes. After hearing the news, he did his best to return to a new normal routine. Kyle heard about Team Type 1, a team of amateur and professional cyclists and tri-athletes living with type 1 diabetes, and was moved by the team’s mission. He’ll be racing for Team Type 1’s 2009 team in the Race Across America (RAAM). The son of an international couple, Kyle grew up splitting his time between Idaho and France. “As a boy, I watched the Tour de France pass by my front door, but had no idea I would one day be cycling in the Race Across America,” says Kyle. Kyle volunteers at a number of camps and events, supporting others with type 1 diabetes throughout the year. “In retrospect, I can honestly say that everything works out for the best. Being diagnosed with diabetes gave me a purpose.” His goal is to continue working with organizations that focus on improving the lives of people with diabetes.

Come by VSP today to meet Kyle Rose and to sign up for the ADA’s Sacramento Tour de Cure, which will take place on May 2. You can also register on the ADA’s website at www.diabetes.org/rosevilletour. Enter the promotion code “VSP” to have the registration fee waived. Each person who registers for the Tour de Cure during the spinathon will be entered to win a brand new mountain bike.