Feb 24, 2006

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Bikers Against Diabetes Gear Up For the 3rd Annual Maine B.A.D. Coastal Fundraising Ride

Wheels are turning once again as volunteers are getting revved up for the Third Annual Maine Bikers Against Diabetes B.A.D. Fundraising Coastal Ride to be held Sunday, July 23rd, 2006 in Rockland, Maine. It is the third consecutive summer an enthusiastic dedicated group of volunteer motorcyclists and their families will get wheels turning down the highways of Maine to “Ride to Live” towards finding a cure for diabetes. Bikers and scores of united citizens throughout Maine and surrounding states are invited to rally together in Rockland to make a difference by fundraising for The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Diabetes is a hereditary disease which affects literally over 73,000 people right here in Maine who are your family, neighbors, friends and co-workers. Diabetes complications are the leading causes of blindness, lower extremity amputations, heart disease and stroke. One out of every 20 people in America has diabetes 798,000 people will be diagnosed with diabetes this year, 187,000 will die DIABETES WILL CLAIM MORE LIVES THIS YEAR THAN AIDS AND BREAST CANCER COMBINED!!

Jon and Pam Paquette, Jacob's dedicated and supportive parents who are avid motorcyclists, wanted to become proactive with fundraising efforts in the drive to find a cure for diabetes for their son and thousands who live with diabetes. They began with an optimistic idea of a gypsy tour involving Bikers as a fundraiser for diabetes research towards finding a cure. They know first hand of the compassion and generosity of the motorcycle owners and citizens in Maine and how diabetes affects thousands. The Paquette family works diligently all year long, continuously seeking help with their committed quest to make the B.A.D. Ride a successful event. Together they lead an energetic B.A.D. Committee Team who reside throughout the state of Maine.

The last two Maine B.A.D. Rides held in Augusta have contributed over $21,000.00 towards diabetes public awareness and education by providing contributions directly to the Maine American Diabetes Association. This year the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in Maine will become the 2006 B.A.D. Ride Recipient of all contributed donations. Each year the B.A.D. Ride has grown with helpful bikers wanting to make a difference and believing additional public funding is needed to find the cure for diabetes.

The 3rd Maine BIKERS AGAINST DIABETES Fundraising Coastal Ride will be held on Sunday, July 23rd, 2006 at the Rockland Elks Lodge #1008 at 210 Rankin Street in Rockland, Maine. Our event is held regardless of weather. Bikers register at 8 a.m. with registration donation fees of $35.00 for each Driver and $15.00 for each Rider, which includes raffles, lunch, live music and an official 2006 B.A.D. Ride tee shirt. Contributions collected from sponsors are submitted at the time of registration to tally; as 25 Lbs. of Live Maine LOBSTER is awarded to each of the top 5 Fundraisers!

Bikers, volunteers, business, corporate and individual sponsors are needed and greatly appreciated. Check us out online at: www.bikersagainstdiabetesme.com or contact: B.A.D. Chairman Jon & Pam Paquette P.O. Box 2, South. Thomaston, ME. 04858 or drop an email: jopake@midcoast.com telephone: (207) 594-5254 or contact B.A.D. Committee member Victoria Oakes, P.O. Box 1236, Rangeley, ME. 04970 telephone: (207) 864-2658. Please make your tax-deductible contributions and checks payable to: J.D.R.F. (The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) and submit your collected donations at the Lodge in Rockland on July 23, 2006 at the B.A.D. RIDE. For more information about Diabetes and the JDRF, please visit www.JDRF.org or call (207) 761-0133. -end-