In Fine Feather
TOUR DE CURE: NNSY EMPLOYEES BIKE 65 MILES TO RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS FOR DIABETES By Anna Taylor • Public Affairs Specialist On the last Saturday in April, a group of Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) employees cycled 65 miles in the cold spring rain to raise awareness for diabetes. Tour de Cure is the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) signature fundraising cycling event and raises more than 26 million dollars annually for diabetes research and advocacy. This year, the event in Hampton Roads raised nearly 400,000 dollars. Matthew Diggs, a Facilities Coordinator for The Production Facility and Equipment Management Division (Code 985), started the Justice League with a few of his friends as a way to engage in small community activities to help under-privileged kids in Hampton Roads. Diggs rode 25 miles in 2014’s event and decided to return for the 2015 ride, challenging himself to complete the more strenuous 65-mile route. He inspired his coworkers to join the Justice League and ride with him, but it took some time for the complete team to form. “Most of them had not ridden a bike since childhood,” he said. “It took a while to get everyone re-acclimated to being on a bike,
Below: The Justice League team members - Matthew Diggs, Meredith Cutchin, Kenneth Bansah, Jamaal Watford, Greg Greene, Derek Deerfield, Sekou Vaughn, and Andrew Friend.
Above: The Justice League enjoys a scenic ride through Suffolk. Left: Diggs and his mother, Cynthia, an event volunteer.
especially a road bike.” The group practiced twice a week during the five weeks leading up to the fundraiser, biking between 20-40 miles each training session. This year’s ride hosted 878 riders and 88 teams. “It’s a huge event, and a lot of cyclists want to participate,” said Diggs. Riders complete a 10, 25, 65, or 100 mile route over country roads and rolling hills, starting in Suffolk and winding through Holland and Windsor. As a group, the Justice League raised about 4,400 dollars for the ADA thanks to contributions from friends and family, primarily through social media sharing and word of mouth solicitations. Their superhero themed costumes drew a lot of attention during the ride, especially as the miles dragged on. “A lot of people who were struggling at the end would latch on to our group so we could carry them,” said Andrew Friend, a contractor with Code 980 who was dressed like Superman. “They literally said we saved them,” said Diggs, who rode with a Captain America mask and shield. For Diggs, a type 1 diabetic, the desire to ride in Tour de Cure came from a personal place. “I decided to do this ride because it’s for a good cause,” he said. “People probably don’t know as much about juvenile diabetes. A lot of people don’t understand there are a lot of kids with type 1 diabetes.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 29 million children and adults in this country are diagnosed with diabetes. The other members of the Justice League had mixed motivations. “I know a lot of diabetics, and I used to love bike riding as a kid,” said Derek Deerfield, Code 980 Supervisor, who rode dressed as Thor, complete with a red cape and lightning-covered spandex. The Justice League plans to return for the 2016 event, potentially for the 100 mile course. “My goal would be to have as many people to do it as possible,” said Diggs. JUNE 2015 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 7