Westwood Dentist Riding to Cure Diabetes

Westwood dentist Zach Orden is looking for other area residents to join him on a 100-mile bike ride raising money for type 1 diabetes research.

Orden has been riding in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's (JDRF) annual "Ride to Cure" events for 10 years and currently sits on the board of directors of the group's Northern N.J.-Rockland County chapter. He is hoping to assemble a team of riders from around Bergen and Rockland to join him at the JDRF event in Burlington, V.T. from July 25 to 28.

Riders will need to raise between $2,500 and $4,500, Orden said.

Money raised goes toward finding a cure for type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes. The JDRF raises about $150 million each year, and $.80 out of every dollar goes directly to research, according to Orden. They are the largest funder for a cure after the federal government.

Riders don't need to be "serious cyclists," Orden said; most who participate in the ride are not.

"To accomplish a ride that many people never dreamt they could do is incredible," Orden said.

Orden was inspired to start fundraising for the JRDF because his own daughter was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes 12 years ago when she was 10. She and Orden's other daughter will also be joining him in the ride this year.

The experience is also great for those with diabetes, Orden said. They can spend time with other people living with the everyday effects of the disease like using insulin and having to watch their diets.

"There's also a great sense of accomplishment when someone with diabetes completes this ride," Orden said.

Anyone interested can get more information about the ride and others the JDRF holds across the country at their website. To join up with the local chapter's team, call their office at (201) 568-4838 or check out their website here.

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