The Story
In the United States over 21 million Americans suffer from one form or another of diabetes. In Canada, that number is near 5 million. There is no cure…
I have suffered from type I diabetes since the age of 7 (28 years now). My name is Ty Hover and I am the founder/chairman of The Ultimate Hike For A Cure. A non-profit organization created to help raise funds and awareness for diabetes research.
My goal and intention is to raise a grand total of $290,000 for this project and both the American & Canadian Diabetes Associations, by hiking from Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit to Anchorage, Alaska. The first $40,000 will be used for the Hike itself. This is intended for equipment, supplies, and any other neccessities that may arise during my trek across North America.
Now, you may be asking, “What exactly is diabetes?”. Well, you see, there are three different forms of this pancreatic disease. Types I, II & gestational. Here is a brief description of each as published on wikipedia.org:
Type I (Juvenile)
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by loss of the insulin-producing beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, leading to a deficiency of insulin. The main cause of this beta cell loss is a T-cell mediated autoimmune attack.[4] There is no known preventative measure that can be taken against type 1 diabetes, which comprises up to 10% of diabetes mellitus cases in North America and Europe (though this varies by geographical location). Most affected people are otherwise healthy and of a healthy weight when onset occurs. Sensitivity and responsiveness to insulin are usually normal, especially in the early stages. Type 1 diabetes can affect children or adults but was traditionally termed “juvenile diabetes” because it represents a majority of cases of diabetes affecting children.
The principal treatment of type 1 diabetes, even from the earliest stages, is replacement of insulin combined with careful monitoring of blood glucose levels using blood testing monitors. Without insulin, ketosis and diabetic ketoacidosis can develop and coma or death will result. Emphasis is also placed on lifestyle adjustments (diet and exercise) though these cannot reverse the loss. Apart from the common subcutaneous injections, it is also possible to deliver insulin by a pump, which allows continuous infusion of insulin 24 hours a day at preset levels, and the ability to program doses (a bolus) of insulin as needed at meal times. An inhaled form of insulin, Exubera, was approved by the FDA in January 2006.[7]
Type 1 treatment must be continued indefinitely. Treatment does not impair normal activities, if sufficient awareness, appropriate care, and discipline in testing and medication is taken. The average glucose level for the type 1 patient should be as close to normal (80–120 mg/dl, 4–6 mmol/l) as possible. Some physicians suggest up to 140–150 mg/dl (7-7.5 mmol/l) for those having trouble with lower values, such as frequent hypoglycemic events. Values above 200 mg/dl (10 mmol/l) are often accompanied by discomfort and frequent urination leading to dehydration. Values above 300 mg/dl (15 mmol/l) usually require immediate treatment and may lead to ketoacidosis. Low levels of blood glucose, called hypoglycemia, may lead to seizures or episodes of unconsciousness.
Type II (Adult Onset)
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is due to insulin resistance or reduced insulin sensitivity, combined with reduced insulin secretion. The defective responsiveness of body tissues to insulin almost certainly involves the insulin receptor in cell membranes. In the early stage the predominant abnormality is reduced insulin sensitivity, characterized by elevated levels of insulin in the blood. At this stage hyperglycemia can be reversed by a variety of measures and medications that improve insulin sensitivity or reduce glucose production by the liver. As the disease progresses the impairment of insulin secretion worsens, and therapeutic replacement of insulin often becomes necessary.
There are numerous theories as to the exact cause and mechanism in type 2 diabetes. Central obesity (fat concentrated around the waist in relation to abdominal organs, but not subcutaneous fat) is known to predispose individuals for insulin resistance. Abdominal fat is especially active hormonally, secreting a group of hormones called adipokines that may possibly impair glucose tolerance. Obesity is found in approximately 55% of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.[8] Other factors include aging (about 20% of elderly patients in North America have diabetes) and family history (type 2 is much more common in those with close relatives who have had it). In the last decade, type 2 diabetes has increasingly begun to affect children and adolescents, likely in connection with the increased prevalence of childhood obesity seen in recent decades in some places.[9]
Type 2 diabetes may go unnoticed for years because visible symptoms are typically mild, non-existent or sporadic, and usually there are no ketoacidotic episodes. However, severe long-term complications can result from unnoticed type 2 diabetes, including renal failure due to diabetic nephropathy, vascular disease (including coronary artery disease), vision damage due to diabetic retinopathy, loss of sensation or pain due to diabetes neuropathy, and liver damage from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Type 2 diabetes is usually first treated by increasing physical activity, decreasing carbohydrate intake, and losing weight. These can restore insulin sensitivity even when the weight loss is modest, for example around 5 kg (10 to 15 lb), most especially when it is in abdominal fat deposits. It is sometimes possible to achieve long-term, satisfactory glucose control with these measures alone. However, the underlying tendency to insulin resistance is not lost, and so attention to diet, exercise, and weight loss must continue. The usual next step, if necessary, is treatment with oral antidiabetic drugs. Insulin production is initially only moderately impaired in type 2 diabetes, so oral medication (often used in various combinations) can be used to improve insulin production (e.g., sulfonylureas), to regulate inappropriate release of glucose by the liver and attenuate insulin resistance to some extent (e.g., metformin), and to substantially attenuate insulin resistance (e.g., thiazolidinediones). According to one study, overweight patients treated with metformin compared with diet alone, had relative risk reductions of 32% for any diabetes endpoint, 42% for diabetes related death and 36% for all cause mortality and stroke.[10] Oral medication may eventually fail due to further impairment of beta cell insulin secretion. At this point, insulin therapy is necessary to maintain normal or near normal glucose levels.
Gestational
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) resembles type 2 diabetes in several respects, involving a combination of inadequate insulin secretion and responsiveness. It occurs in about 2%–5% of all pregnancies and may improve or disappear after delivery. Gestational diabetes is fully treatable but requires careful medical supervision throughout the pregnancy. About 20%–50% of affected women develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Even though it may be transient, untreated gestational diabetes can damage the health of the fetus or mother. Risks to the baby include macrosomia (high birth weight), congenital cardiac and central nervous system anomalies, and skeletal muscle malformations. Increased fetal insulin may inhibit fetal surfactant production and cause respiratory distress syndrome. Hyperbilirubinemia may result from red blood cell destruction. In severe cases, perinatal death may occur, most commonly as a result of poor placental profusion due to vascular impairment. Induction may be indicated with decreased placental function. A cesarean section may be performed if there is marked fetal distress or an increased risk of injury associated with macrosomia, such as shoulder dystocia.
The reasons for this hike are many. For starters, I have been a diabetic since I was diagnosed at the age of seven nearly 28 years ago. My vision has suffered as a result, as has several other things. Another reason, both my mother & my uncle have both been diagnosed with type II within recent years. I have also had several friends diagnosed with type I in just the last 3 years & one of them died from it earlier this year.
Most people do not realize the impact this disease has on your life. Each day, and this is coming from the point of view of an insulin dependant type I diabetic, you have to worry about such things as to when you eat, what you eat, how much you eat, what is the sugar & carbs you will be in taking throughout the day, & finally, have you gotten enough exercise or too much. During all of this, your body is suffering. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, & limb amputation in the world.
Many people have asked me why I would want to do this? The answer is very simple… I am tired of dealing with this disease each and every second of everyday. I am sure that each diabetic out there would say the same thing.
The other reason is, each of us either knows someone that is dealing with this disease or is related to someone that is. It is very hard to watch somebody have to go through many of the things I have had to go through. It is time to stop this!
A third reason, I was once told by a very smart man, my father, to apply what I am good at and what I enjoy and try and impact the world around me in a positive manner. My Dad is a genius! I love to camp and hike and do many other outdoor activities and I have found a way to apply that as a positive step in my world. In other words, I have found my calling.
This hike is but the first step. With your support, we can help find a cure for one of the largest killers of children and people over 50 in the world. We can stop the primary cause of limb amputation and blindness in North America.
This site and organization are set up to accept doantions and sponsorships. For any questions or sponsorship inquiries, please contact the THFAC at ultimatehike@gmail.com or by mail at:
59331 Grand River
New Hudson, Mi, 48165
You can also contact me directly at (248)767-7239.
We are accepting donations in 3 different ways. You can either donate directly to the Hike, or just to the American (ADA) or Canadian (CDA) Diabetes Associations, or to both (preffered method). You can also use the links on this page to go directly to either organizations websites to make doantions there.
Remember, the first $40,000 is going towards the Hike (unless otherwise noted). This is needed in order to make this happen. Anything beyond that goes to the ADA & CDA. When I complete the Hike, any remaining moneis will also be given to both organization.
Sometimes, in order to do something great… it takes great effort and struggle. Thank you for supporting The Ultimate Hike For A Cure.
Ty Hover,
Founder/Chairman
The Ultimate Hike For A Cure
