At seven years old senior Darby Foster began cycling her way to saving lives through the Tour de Cure bike ride to fight diabetes.

Foster currently contributes to the North Shore Tour de Cure bike ride as a cyclist and organizer. Along with 30 other volunteers, she plans the ride which begins in Topsfield, Massachusetts and consists of 15, 31, 62, and 100 mile routes.

“In past years, there’s been about 900 to 1,000 participants,” Foster said. “Our goal this year is 1,100 to 1,200 [participants].”

Foster, who annually rides the 31 mile route, is quick to explain that the Tour de Cure is not a race, but a ride, with the goal of raising money for the American Diabetes Association.

“People of all different abilities do it,” Foster said. “You have everything from the young kids to the avid cyclists. We don’t track anyone for time because we want it to be just a fun day.”

To participate in this year’s ride on May 22, participants must pay a $25 registration fee and fundraise at least $200 .

“It’s not that hard to raise [the fundraising minimum] over the couple months you have,” Foster said. “I know one kid who raised the fundraising minimum in one weekend just by asking all his neighbors to donate. You get ten people to donate twenty dollars and you’re there.”

To raise her fundraising fee in past years, Foster has received contributions from a variety of people.

“The majority of the money I raise is donated by my family and friends,” Foster said. “I have gotten a couple of donations from teachers that I’ve reached out to.”

Foster became involved in raising money to help find a cure for diabetes partly because her grandmother passed away from complications due to Type 1 diabetes.

“I decided I wanted to join and make a difference too,” Foster said.

Senior Stephanie Francalancia also participated in the ride her freshman and sophomore years and plans to ride again this year. Francalancia has also had family members diagnosed with diabetes and is passionate about the cause.

“It’s so nice to see all the people volunteering and their support,” Francalancia said.
Foster is enthusiastic about the impact the Tour de Cure ride has had on people’s lives.

“I like to see where I’ve had an impact particularly on the ride or seeing how the people I know through the committee have had an impact,” Foster said. “I love seeing how we’ve all worked together to create this event.”

Foster said that the distances of the ride often scare people, but explains that there are breaks and that people of all abilities have finished the ride successfully.

“I would love to get more kids involved,” Foster said. “It’s a cause very close to my heart.”