Marian St. Clair (Greenville, S.C.) rode her bike 67 miles to raise funds for a cure for juvenile diabetes.

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Clubwoman Marian St. Clair Puts Her Bike Where Her Heart Is to Help Find a Cure for Juvenile Diabetes

November 19, 2007

Many contributors to Marian’s ride were GFWC friends from around the country. In her letter to ask for support, Marian shared her motivation and experience with the Ride for the Cure, for which her husband Tim serves as National JDRF Cycling Coach.

Through one of my dearest friends, Lu Bigalke, I've learned what it's like to have a child with juvenile diabetes… In 2003, my husband, Tim, cycled in the JDRF Ride for the Cure in honor of Katie [Lu Bigalke’s college-age daughter who lives with juvenile diabetes]. Since that time, Tim has participated in 10 rides and now serves as the National JDRF Cycling Coach. Because of Tim's efforts, I'm touched by the lives of many children with diabetes.

One of those children is Jessi Davison, a vibrant and active 10 year-old who was diagnosed at age 3. Like many 5th graders, Jessi loves to read, bike, swim, and hike. Last year she was a cheerleader; this year, her interest is dance. Jessi has a knack for public speaking, and was selected as an anchor for her school's closed circuit TV show.

Jessi and her family are very passionate about funding a cure for diabetes. Their efforts have encouraged many to participate in JDRF walks and galas under the "Jammin 4 Jessi" slogan. [This year,] I plan to join Tim … to honor Jessi and to help fund her cure. Like her family and many friends, I want insure that Jessi's future continues to include all the things that make her life full and happy.

Marian set her fundraising goal at $6,200 and asked supporters to send her the names of their loved ones who have been affected by diabetes, so that she could wear their names on her jersey during the ride. She promised to pedal a metric century (62 miles) for Jessi and all the others on her jersey, or “fall off the bike trying.”

She received 42 names, and says that having those names on her jersey was a big help when the going got tough near the end of the ride. One request, in particular, was especially touching. Bobbie Wilhite (GFWC-SC Walhalla Woman's Club) asked Marian to honor her first husband, Leonard Ballard, who died from diabetes related complications. The day that Marian rode in Montana, September 22, was Leonard’s birth date.

PHOTO: Marian St.Clair, with her husband and National Head Cycling Coach for JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes Tim St.Clair, in Whitefish, Mont., Sept. 22, 2007.