Simon's JDRF Vlog

09/16/2024

A big thank you to you all after my ride on Friday. With promised checks and estimated matching we’ve reached $13,400 of my $15,000 goal, not bad for an old guy with very few corporate contacts anymore.

The ride was a tough one - the coastal breeze made the second half of the ride exhausting. I definitely felt my age! Other than the wind the weather was perfect though - mid-70’s and sunny. I was very grateful to Jim Murphy and Jonathan Calianos for accompanying me for 35 miles each. They led the way into the wind, which helped psychologically as much as anything. Jim also ensured that I properly hydrated at the local drinking establishment after the ride and also encouraged a visit to the local Ice Cream shop, where I tried sugar free ice cream for the first time - very good!

Thanks for indulging me on my journey and hopefully gaining greater understanding of Type One Diabetes and the impact it has on families.

The link for any last minute donations is

http://www2.breakthrought1d.org/goto/Nora

09/05/2024

Thank you for your donations to Breakthrough T1D so far. We’ve reached just over $7,500 of my $15,000 goal, that includes my matching of 25 cents for every $ donated.

Subject to Mother Nature’s blessings, I will do the 100 mile ride next Friday, September 13th - is that unlucky, or tempting fate? I hope not. I did an 80 mile ride last Friday and apart from Labor Day traffic all went well. As a Type 2 diabetic my challenge on these long rides is balancing my carb intake - too little and I run out of gas - too much and I feel “sugar sick”. Fluids are also a challenge, dehydration or too many bathroom stops.

One of my best friends, Jim Murphy, is going to keep me company for 30 miles of my marathon, which should be fun.

A gentle reminder, Type One Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that can strike at any time. It is not caused by poor diet or lack of exercise. It requires constant monitoring of blood sugars and food intake. Lack of insulin or poor maintenance of the disease can lead to blindness, loss of limbs and death due to heart attack or stroke. Breakthrough T1D helps to fund research to find a cure and also tools to improve maintenance of the disease. They also act as lobbyists on issues like affordable insulin.

I do appreciate there are lots of good causes out there and you all support what you can - thanks for indulging me on my journey and hopefully gaining greater understanding of Type One Diabetes and the impact it has on families.

The link to donate is

http://www2.breakthrought1d.org/goto/Nora

As ever, I appreciate all support, donations large or small, and messages of encouragement.

I'm taking part in the Breakthrough T1D Ride because I'm up for a physical and mental challenge that I know will be the experience of a lifetime. And, the money I raise will change the lives of millions of people who struggle with the burden of type 1 diabetes (T1D) every day.

07/16/2023

The joys of training. Two weeks until my JDRF Ride in hilly Vermont and three weeks until the Pan Mass Challenge and I have a brain fart of epic proportions. Back on the road tomorrow! Sympathy donations always accepted.

https://donate.pmc.org/SB055

http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/donateSimon

05/24/2022

2022 Ride Season is upon us. Apologies for the lousy audio quality - the phone microphone picked up the wind more than I thought it would. Riding this year for Dana Farber Cancer Research (Pan Mass Challenge) - 185 miles in 2 days in August, and JDRF in Saratoga Springs, a mere 100. Please donate at the following links and share as much as you like!

Pan Mass Link: https://profile.pmc.org/SB0552

JDRF Link http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/jdrfridesimonbexon

08/05/2021

Extracts from a radio show I did on Cape Cod to promote the Pan Mass Challenge. I know Video Killed the Radio Star - but it fun all the same. Stephanie was awesome helping me sound semi professional.

07/05/2021

I have been quiet for a while, so bear with the long message. I am going to ride in 3 charity events in 2021. I still love JDRF and will fundraise for this amazing cause. However, I need to spread the love this year. Maybe it is my age, but cancer seems to be raising it's head among my friends. Therefore I have committed to ride in the Pan Mass Challenge which is a 200 mile, 2 day event August 7th and 8th raising $$ for the Dana Farber Research Fund. I am training like crazy and will ride 150 miles per week in preparation for a tough weekend. I will still ride 100 miles with my JDRF buddies in Tennessee on October 2nd, and also will ride 120 miles October 16/17 to raise money for MS. These are three amazing charities that are striving to make breakthrough's in science to cure these horrible diseases. Watch my video explaining why I am doing these rides. See links below to donate.

https://profile.pmc.org/SB0552

http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/simonbexonjdrf

https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/Simon-Bexon

08/24/2019

About 14 hours until we take off on our quest to ride 100 miles in beautiful but hilly wine country in Northern California. Trolling for last minute donations as we are only a few hundred short of our goal. Thanks for all your support. To donate click the link

https://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR?fr_id=7737&pg=personal&px=8598802