Several professors at Nicholls have formed a cycling team to ride in Tour de Cure on April 21, a 50-mile event that will take place near Mandeville.

Tour de Cure is a series of fundraising cycling events held in 44 states nationwide to benefit the American Diabetes Association and is sponsored by the Kidney Foundation.

Three professors, Henry Foust, Chad Young and Scott Banville, have formed Team Colonels to ride in the event. They are looking for both riders and donations. They hope to raise at least $5,000.

Banville, who considers himself an avid cyclist, said that the event is definitely for a good cause.

“This is a great way to raise awareness for diabetes, especially for those here in Louisiana, where many people suffer from the disease,” Banville said.

The Tour is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for everyone from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist. Whether you ride 10 miles or 100 miles, riders will travel a route supported from start to finish with rest stops, food to fuel the journey and fans to cheer them on.

Each Tour de Cure event has its own character and style—from unique starting points to gorgeous scenery and more depending on where it takes place.

In 2011, more than 55,000 cyclists in 80 events raised more than $18 million to support the mission of the American Diabetes Association.

“Diabetes affects many people in this state and the whole country, and by participating in an event like this, I hope to send a message to others that if we work together, we can find some way to destroy this disease,” Foust said.

Young, who himself is quite fond of riding, agreed.

“I met a lot of people with this condition. Some of these people have really touched my life in a special way and have opened my eyes. I am doing this for them.”

People affected by this disease, though it can be tough, still have the ability to live normal lives. For example, blues king B.B. King has diabetes, but it did not stop him from doing what he loves.

Young people are also affected by this condition. Josh Jackson, freshman from Thibodaux, found out he had type one diabetes when he was only 12 years old. Jackson said that it can be challenging to live with his condition, but he still is able to live his life normally.

“Diabetes basically forces me to eat healthy, which is not a bad thing,” Jackson said. “I got used to it pretty quickly, but I hate taking my insulin shots, which I am supposed to take daily. Even though I have this condition, I am still able to participate in athletics and working out. Football was a big part of my life in high school and never once did diabetes slow me down.”

Training rides for Tour de Cure will be Tuesdays at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Thursdays at 8 a.m. For more details, contact Henry Foust at [email protected] or Chad Young at [email protected].