Pre-Diabetes: No Longer in
One Rider’s Vocabulary

by JENNIFER HOUCHINS

There are about 41 million people in the United States, ages 40 to 74, that have pre-diabetes. Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have "pre-diabetes” blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Recent research has shown that some long-term damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system, may already be occurring during pre-diabetes. Research has also shown that if you take action to control your blood glucose when you have pre-diabetes, you can delay or prevent type 2.

This was just the case with Char Cushman, now an avid cyclist and volunteer of the American Diabetes Association. Char knew she was at risk because not only does her father have type 2, but so does her brother and twin sister. She also lost her mother to the complications of diabetes.

“I knew I was at risk, but wasn’t actively doing anything about it,” says Cushman. That was until her employer of 26 years, Valero Energy Corporation, held its annual health fair. She became very interested in the bike club that had a display onsite. “Ialways wanted to have a bike, so I joined the club and then went out to purchase my first bike,” she comments. From there it was her co-worker and employee nurse, Donna Escobar, who took Char by the hand and helped her make some life-changing habits. came to my rescue,” reflects Cushman.

Char was able to quit smoking and began to focus on losing weight. Thanks to the support of her co-worker and friend, along with her health care provider, Char took the term “pre-diabetes” seriously and worked to eliminate that word from her life.

Her cycling became a thrilling hobby, and soon she was asked to join the Valero team (Velo Valero) in the 2005 Tour De Cure. “Once they explained to me this event was to benefit the ADA, I immediately said yes,” said Cushman. That first year Char rode 18 miles and increased it to 35 during the 2006 ride, along with becoming a Ride Marshal for the event. Now Char enthusiastically trains, eats healthy and is dedicated to the mission of the ADA. A true testimony to what one person can do to better herself and decrease the risk of diabetes.

There is a lot one can do to better understand the risks for pre-diabetes and take action to prevent diabetes. The American Diabetes Association has a wealth of resources for people with diabetes. People with pre-diabetes can expect to benefit from much of the same advice for good nutrition and physical activity. To learn more about pre-diabetes prevention and treatment, please contact the American Diabetes Association at (800)-DIABETES today.

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