The American Birkebeiner, through its “Birkie Skiers for Cures” program, is proud to continue its charitable partnership with JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. Through the Birkie Skiers for Cures program, JDRF raised nearly $60,000 in 2013 to support promising research across the globe.

By Joe Brady, JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes Coach and Birkie Enthusiast

I vividly recall looking for answers in December 1981 when I found myself constantly tired, incredibly thirsty, and peeing up to 20 times a day. Only 28 years old, healthy and actively athletic, I figured I had a flu bug and would recover sooner rather than later. 

When I finally visited my doctor a month later, he informed me there was no cure—not then or on the horizon—in my future. I walked in the office a healthy (albeit sick) young adult, but now held a package of syringes, a bottle of insulin, and a vial of dipsticks to check my urine for sugars. I walked out of the office as a person with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

A year later I signed up for my first Birkie, and this year, fate willing, I will complete my 28^th (I’ve missed three due to a variety of injuries).

During my first year of adjusting to my disease, I learned that the two most important ways to keep my blood sugar under control (and avoid heart, limb, kidney, and eye complications) were diet and exercise. Back then preparing for the Birkie seemed to be the perfect winter activity to stay healthy, and to this day, T1D and the Birkie are inextricably linked in my life.

I’m reminded of this relationship every time I open the diary I’ve kept of my Birkie adventures. My first Birkie was unforgettable. Skating was yet to be popularized and most cross country skiers still had wood skis in the garage. We began in Hayward and skied to Telemark. Parallel sets of classical tracks covered the whole trail. The temperature started cold and rose into the 30s. My diary entry reports that “… I had a solid kick from start to finish with universal klister. Experienced a few nasty falls and one terrible bonk at 35K.” The bonk was due to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), one of the curses of T1D. Over the years I have had multiple episodes of Birkie low blood sugar: a good friend still tells the story of my finishing an hour after my anticipated finish in 1998, befuddled and weak with little memory of the race—not my best year on the course!

Of course, good stories outweigh the bad, as we skiers from the 80s relive past races and talk about how the Birkie has changed. We now ski the “easy” way from Telemark to Hayward, ski on separate meticulously groomed skate and classical sections, and outfit ourselves with high-end skis, poles, boots, and clothing the cost of which would have bought a car in 1983. Some Birkie features remain the same: the friendly volunteers, thank-god rest stops, enthusiastic skiers, and wild-eyed Bitch Hill inhabitants call us back year after year.

Likewise, we type 1 diabetics from the 80s have seen profound changes in how we treat our disease. At my first Birkie I could not prick my finger to check my blood glucose levels because meters weren’t available. I could only guess what my blood glucose was by how I felt. There were no fast-acting insulins, which now allow us to regulate our blood glucose and minimize the cursed highs and lows. Syringe needles were long and thick; today they are short and sleek. Counting carbohydrates to determine insulin dosages was not taught by healthcare professionals, but today is standard practice. Treatment for T1D seemed medieval compared to today. Indeed, in the 2013 Birkie, I wore an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor. These devices allowed me to give myself insulin and monitor my blood sugar. I counted my carbohydrates to adjust both my basal (background) and bolus (food station) insulin doses.

All of the positive changes in the treatment of T1D are the direct result of research. This year’s American Birkebeiner charitable partner, JDRF, is the world leader in funding research to conquer type 1 diabetes.   As the largest charitable supporter of T1D research, JDRF is currently sponsoring $530 million in scientific research in 17 countries.

“… my dream since I skied my first Birkie in 1983 remains:
to ski the Birkie as a person who used to have diabetes.”

 While the changes above have made life better for those of us with T1D, skiers or not, the disease still is an inexorable demon unfazed by the latest technology. It is a 24/7 affliction that demands constant attention and medication/caloric adjustments: I’ve taken over 75,000 insulin shots since 1982 and eaten too many chalky glucose tablets to count. Death and complications due to hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are a far-too-regular occurrence in the diabetes world, and too many children and adults have lost the fight to the disease. Contracting diabetes brought me to the Birkie, so in a twisted way I can say diabetes isn’t all bad, but my dream since I skied my first Birkie in 1983 remains: to ski the Birkie as a person who used to have diabetes.

Last year I and other Birkie skiers personally fundraised to help JDRF. You can donate online to the fundraising skier of your choice or just make a donation!  Every dollar counts.  At the event, you can donate by visiting the JDRF expo booth.

Whether you ski or not, you can help! You can sign up to do a local Walk to Cure Diabetes or participate in the national Ride to Cure Diabetes at any of the six awesome locations including La Crosse, Wisconsin.  Visit JDRF’s website to learn more: www.jdrf.org.

Thanks for your support in our fight to cure type 1 diabetes. And may your skis have wings up the hills and across the lake in 2014!