Meet Kevin Garner, JDRF cycling coach for the Indiana State Chapter.  Kevin has been riding with JDRF for a number of years, but this was his first year as the ride coach.  He will return as the coach for 2016 season.

What attracted you to the cause?

I truly believe in JDRF’s objectives to raise money needed to fund research for better treatments and ultimately a cure for type 1 diabetes.

What motivates you to stay involved?

Knowing there are significant unmet medical needs for individuals with type 1 diabetes and the number of people living with type 1 diabetes is increasing.  Also, it is a lot of fun to be around people (coaches, cyclists, staff, volunteers, etc.) who have such a passion for this cause.

In your opinion, what is the most important work that this organization does?

Providing funding for better treatments / education for type 1 diabetes.

What do you hope the organization will achieve in the near future? In the long term?

In the near term help people with type 1 diabetes meet their unmet medical needs.  In the long term find a cure for type 1 diabetes!

What is your favorite JDRF event?

Destination ride in Death Valley, CA.

Do you have any hobbies or special interests?

Cycling, hiking, spending time with my family.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I have an identical twin brother.

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Meet Gemi Ozdemir, JDRF board member, walk chair, and gala committee member.  Gemi first got involved with JDRF through his family walk team in 2012 when his daughter was diagnosed.  He and his wife Kelli both hold volunteer leadership roles for the JDRF Indiana State Chapter and are passionate about fundraising and supporting families impacted by type 1 diabetes.

What attracted you to the cause?

On July 20, 2012 our 4 year old, at the time, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I became passionate about JDRF on July 21, 2012.  When we met Ella’s endocrinologist for the first time, before we talked about her care,  she said, “I want you to know that there will be a cure for type 1 diabetes in Ella’s Lifetime because of organizations like JDRF…” That was all I needed to hear.

What motivates you to stay involved?

I know that if there wasn’t a cure, Ella would be “OK” because she has plenty of love and support surrounding her, and technology keeps improving to allow the maintenance of this disease possible. Ella has people that care about counting carbs, adjusting basal rates, spending thousands of dollars on supplies, waking up every 3 hours to check if she is still breathing, making sure she can still be a “normal” 2^nd grader.  It’s those type 1 diabetics that don’t have the same support system as Ella that keeps me up at night.

In your opinion, what is the most important work that this organization does?

Hands down it is the research they fund. I have seen the progress in 3 short years that makes me believe what our doctor told us. There WILL be a cure in Ella’s lifetime. I am hoping Ella can wake up her insulin producing cells by the time she is 16.

What do you hope the organization will achieve in the near future? In the long term?

Long term…out of business. Short term, I hope we can get an artificial pancreas to the masses, encapsulation approved, manage super highs with ease, minimize lows, make supplies more affordable and available.

What is your favorite JDRF event?

The Walk and Gala are at the top. I love meeting all the people that are in our little JDRF family. That has been a positive in this whole mess of a world of needles and test strips. The support and connection to people are a gift. I like the Gala because I can get my groove on to some good music and buy auction items that I actually WANT to buy. Would never have been able to play basketball on the Pacers Court at Bankers Life Fieldhouse if it wasn’t an auction item or buy a smashed up NASCAR hood with “Lilly Diabetes” painted on it. Always a good time and very well done. We also put on our own event called “Dance Your Carbs Off.” That is probably my favorite event because all we do is dance until Bella Vita kicks us out.

Do you have any hobbies or special interests?

Tough to maintain hobbies when you have a 2, 4, 6 and 8 year old but when they are not saying “daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy…..watch me….put my hands up in the air….” I am playing basketball or guitar or writing about my travel experiences. I have a running Facebook post called the “Errr Plane Chronicles” talking about the crazy things you see while traveling.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I was an extra on Seinfeld in 1996. I was on the train with Kramer on the “Man Hands” episode.