Above: Southborough residents and their coach looking forward to JDRF’s Race for the Cure. Left to Right: Diane Koziel, Barb Devlin, coach Steve Berube, Will Koziel and Bob Koziel. (Photo provided)
This summer, Will Koziel’s summer vacation includes the plan to cycle 62 miles with his parents through the hills and country roads of Vermont. On July 27th, the Trottier student will participate in the JDRF Ride for the Cure.
JDRF is the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The cause is personal for Koziel. He was diagnosed with Type I diabetes at the age of 5.
Koziel began training for the race this spring. He shared his ambition for the race, “based on my current average ride speed I should complete the ride in about 4.5 – 5 five hours. (My Dad and I are riding together, my Mom will be riding behind us.)”
But his ultimate goal isn’t to achieve a good time, it’s to help find a medical breakthrough:
As I get older I wish I could get rid of diabetes. I know that there are a lot of research studies going on, and there are new ways to manage. I participated in a nutrition study at the Joslin Clinic over the last 18 months. Part of the study included wearing a continuous glucose monitor for three days every three months. The monitor highlighted times when my body was running low or high and we were able to make adjustments.
Koziel hopes that funds raised for JDRF will allow continued research. He’s not just concerned about a cure for himself, but also so ” maybe others won’t get diabetes.”
He is trying to raise $7,500. As of this morning, he was 58% towards his goal.
One of his teammates is Barb Devlin of Southborough (in picture above.) Barb is riding for her 6 year old daughter. Claire Devlin was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 3.
If you would like to support his cause, click here to donate online or make a check out to JDRF and mail it to Will Koziel, 1 Chestnut Hill Road, Southborough, MA 01772. (If you have trouble with the link, you can go to http://www.jdrf.org/ride and search by rider.)
