Ride to Cure Diabetes: Dallas Rider Raises over $13,000 for JDRF!

August 25, 2011

In 2008, Russell Hoppenstein of Richardson, Texas made a commitment to participate in the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes. He did this in honor of son, Lance, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when he was just two years old. After a month of dealing with the challenges of having to manage diabetes in a toddler, he decided to take each day as it comes and to be a positive role model for Lance.

With the support of his wife and Lance’s older brother, Russell decided to take on the challenge of training two to three times a week and raising the funds to help find a cure for diabetes through the Ride to Cure.

Team Lance-A-Lot was officially created!

Three years and two JDRF Rides later, Russell and his wife, Stacey, have become experts in caring for their now five year old diabetic son, Lance.

Lance has also started to take control of his diabetes by testing his own blood sugar and learning to count carbs. His brother, Seth, and his little sister, Lexi, are Lance’s personal cheering squad. His grandparents, aunt, uncles, and cousins are also a huge support for the family. Recently his family created and posted a video on YouTube to let people know about Lance’s quest for a cure.

Check out the Hoppenstein Family’s Video

You can create your own video with our Fundraising Video How-To!

Earlier this month, Russell participated as a member of the Dallas JDRF Ride Team in his third JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Out of the 480 riders, he was recognized as the 3rd Top Fundraiser for the event.

With the help of friends and family, Team Lance-a-lot raised over $13,800 for JDRF. Russell, in honor of Lance, completed the 100 mile ride crossing the Mississippi twice and riding through Iowa and Minnesota in just over six hours. Read more about the Ride and Team Lance-A-Lot.

Until a cure is found, Russell will continue to ride for Team Lance-a-lot. He looks forward to the day when Lance can finally say: I used to have diabetes!

For more information about the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes, or contact Scott Childress at the JDRF Dallas Office at (214) 373-9808 or schildress@jdrf.org.