Sailors Support Fight Against Diabetes

SAN ANTONIO (NNS) -- Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC) Sailors on board Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio volunteered their time and talents to help and encourage local cyclists during the Red Rider Rally, March 16.

Gunner's Mate 1st Class Kyle Farley serves as NTTCs point person for coordinating volunteers to support local American Diabetes Association (ADA) events.

"The rally was an opportunity for the students to reach out and support the local San Antonio community," said Farley.

Twenty students from the Navy's Master-at-Arms (MA) "A" School were on scene to not only encourage and cheer cyclists during the rally, but also to register them for the upcoming "Tour De Cure" cycling event in May.

"The Red Rider Rally is essential to the success of the Tour De Cure," Farley said. "Diabetes is a devastating yet often times preventable disease shared by millions of Americans."

Tour de Cure is a series of fundraising cycling events held in 44 states nationwide to benefit the American Diabetes Association. The Tour is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for everyone from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist.

The Red Riders started in 2006, when Mari Rudy, who lived with Type I diabetes for more than 30 years, asked the question, "Where are the riders with diabetes?" Her question was driven by a desire to celebrate with others having diabetes who had taken control of their health.

"Volunteering to help with the Red Rider Rally and the Tour De Cure are ways we can help the local community increase public awareness and raise money to combat diabetes," said Farley. "Knowing how much this will help the community, I am honored to be able to provide and coordinate student volunteers."

"It was a great opportunity to give back to the community while being a student. I look forward to setting up something similar with the local ADA community when I reach my permanent duty station," said MA "A" School student Seaman James Jones.

Staff and students of NTTC Lackland work year-round to support and reach out to the local community and help keep the efforts of those like Rudy alive and thriving.

NTTC Lackland is a component within the Center for Security Forces of which provides specialized training to more than 28-thousand students each year and has 14 training locations across the U.S. and around the world.

For more news from Center for Security Forces, visit www.navy.mil/local/csf/.