Cycling for a Cause

Rider Brandon Fogwell at the finish line with Tim Wilson of the American Diabetes Association. AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION / COURTESY PHOTO

Brandon Fogwell, spent the day pounding the pavement in North Palm Beach, fundraising for a cause that’s near and dear to his heart, the American Diabetes Association

“My grandfather passed way from diabetes complications,” Brandon says. “And I have a niece and uncle who live with diabetes.”

Brandon and his family split their time between North Hampton, New Hampshire, and their home just north of Juno Beach Pier. They’ve been coming to Florida for the last 35 years.

Brandon does fundraising in both states for his annual ride in the American Diabetes Association Tour De Cure.

George Fogwell, Brandon’s father, explains as an infant Brandon was born with a heart murmur. But problems from a surgical heart procedure left him seriously impaired, affecting his speech and fine motor skills.

Doctors told George, “We don’t think your son will ever walk or ever talk. That was a bitter pill to swallow.” But with hard work, patience and love, Brandon was walking, and by 4½ years old he was talking. “His first full word was donut,” recounts George with a laugh.

Brandon has already raised over $16,000 for his next Tour De Cure in August. Tim Wilson the Associate Director of The American Diabetes Association New England explains, “So far, Brandon has received more than 300 individual donations. Compare that to the 216 total donations collected by our other 100 plus New England Tour de Cure riders. About half of the donations Brandon has received came from people and businesses in Jupiter and other towns in the Palm Beach area.”

Starting back in 2004, Brandon’s alltime fundraising total to date is more than $425,000. Brandon explains how every dollar donated will go directly towards funding critical research, diabetes prevention programs and community outreach initiatives.

This year’s New England Tour de Cure takes place on Sunday, Aug. 20 in Lexington, Massachusetts.

To help Brandon reach his goal, visit his donation page at: tour-diabetes. donordrive.com and click on Brandon’s picture under “Top Fundraisers”.

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