The Tour de Cure is the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) annual fundraising cycling event. The Tour—held in 44 states nationwide—is a ride, not a race. During the two-day event, cyclists can ride 10 miles or 150 miles. The object is to ride, to come together with like-minded people, not to “endure.”
Now, for the third year in a row, HensonFuerst attorney Thomas Henson Jr. is serving as chair of the North Carolina’s Tour de Cure, which will take place June 2 and 3 in Cary, North Carolina.
“Thomas’s leadership and professionalism are key to the success of our event,” said Katie-Rose Darby, an associate manager of the American Diabetes Association. “He puts his words into action, and we’re inspired to surpass our goals.”
The ADA is expecting approximately 700 participants in the North Carolina Tour this year, up from 525 cyclists last year. In addition to chairing the Tour, Henson will be leading the HensonFuerst Cycling Team in the event. The team comprises 40 members of all skill levels—beginners, recreational riders, and advanced athletes. The team has raised more than $70,000 during the last four Tours, and was named one of the national Tour de Cure Top 100 Fundraisers for the past two years. This year, team members are setting the bar high and working hard to keep their fundraising title for a third year in a row.
“The biggest challenge as chair of the Tour is growing the event to the proportion it deserves,” said Henson, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 9. “I want our community to understand the importance of this event. The Tour helps combat diabetes by raising funds to find a cure for the disease, providing education to those living with diabetes, and teaching ways to prevent and treat for diabetes. I’m not just doing the Tour de Cure for myself. I’m doing this for everyone who has been affected by diabetes. Together, we will find a cure.”
Henson, who rides his bike between 70 and 100 miles per week, says the hardest part about riding in the Tour is managing his blood sugar levels and insulin regulation during the six-hour athletic endeavor.
Anyone interested in joining the HensonFuerst Cycling Team can contact Henson at ThomasHenson@lawmed.com for more information. To support the HensonFuerst Cycling Team with a donation, click here: HensonFuerst donation
There also are volunteer opportunities available for the Tour. Contact Katie-Rose Darby for more information at kdarby@diabetes.org.
About the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure
The Tour de Cure is the nation’s largest event to raise money to fight diabetes. Thousands of riders and teams have participated in the event since its inception in 1991. Last year, more than 55,000 cyclists raised almost $18 million to support the ADA’s mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
The HensonFuerst Health Initiative
The Tour de Cure is one of many projects and events to which the members of HensonFuerst devote their time. To recognize the importance of giving back to the community, the personal injury law firm established the HensonFuerst Health Initiative, a comprehensive plan that encompasses all of the law firm’s community and service efforts. The initiative encourages both community and firm members to prevent injuries, improve health and fitness, and aid organizations committed to bettering health and well-being.
