Maplewood Athlete Fights Diabetes in More Ways Than One

Maplewood resident Jai Westwood is using his skills as an endurance athlete not just to benefit his own health, but to raise money for diabetes research.

Westwood, 40, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as age 15. Since 2003, Westwood has been competing in the Tour de Cure, a pioneering annual cycling event benefiting the American Diabetes Association — or ADA. In 2004, he began to rally his co-workers at Barclay’s Capital to form a team that has raised more than $325,000 to date for the cause. Westwood, who alone has raised over $100,000, is among the top 10 fundraisers nationally. This year, Westwood and 45 of his teammates from Barclay’s Capital will contribute more than $55,000 to the cause.

On June 5, Westwood rode the 75 mile route of this year's Tour de Cure. The ride originated in Basking Ridge, NJ where Westwood and the ADA Team tackled the hilly, challenging route in about 4 hours.

Westwood’s commitment doesn’t stop with Tour de Cure. Westwood is an endurance athlete who rides in other cycling events and runs in numerous marathons including New York Marathon and most recently the London Marathon, where he raised $5,000 for diabetes UK.

New Jersey has a very vibrant and growing cycling community that represents all levels of riders and is reflective of a national trend supporting the growth of cycling. Membership in clubs like the Morris Area Freewheelers (700+) and the Bicycle Touring Club of New Jersey (1,300+) continues to grow along with participation in shop rides and competitive events sponsored by NJBA.

One of the pioneering annual rides in New Jersey is the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the event which last year alone raised $17 million in the fight against a disease that affects an estimated 700,000 people in New Jersey alone and 26 million nationwide.