Kickin' and Crankin' Kick-Off

What a fun morning we enjoyed!

We celebrated the kick-off of Kickin' and Crankin' for Kids and a Cure at the grand opening of Sunday Cycles.

Thank you to all who joined us!

I want to give a few shout-outs to some special people:

• Coach Alex Sachs, for whom we will be forever grateful
• Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Neely (District 2), who delivered a great speech and cut the Sunday Cycles grand opening ribbon
• Laura Rivers, Ashley Benedetto and Gabrielle Thorp, who represented JDRF at the event
• Our friends Jeanne, Matthew and Max Birmingham, whose friendship we treasure
• Jodi Powers and Annie Lloyd Bachand, who own Community Public Relations, who promoted today's event and who are working hard to make Kickin' and Crankin' a success

We so appreciated having you all there to celebrate this project and promote JDRF!

I also want to wish Joe Berman, the owner of Sunday Cycles and a sponsor of Kickin' and Crankin, all the best with his new venture! If anyone in the Phoenix area intends to purchase a new bike, go see Joe!

There's Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Neely, speaking to the crowd. You can see Joe Berman, standing on the far left. Coach Alex stood front and center with her bike. Behind her, you can sort of see Gregg (in the white shirt), Madeline (peeking out from under

Gregg's arm) and Max (the little one up front in the olive shirt).

Councilwoman Neely graciously posed for pics,

before cutting the ribbon.

That's Jack with Coach Alex and the bike she'll ride across America.

D moms unite!

That's Jeanne Birmingham standing next to me and Coach Alex.

Jeanne's son Max also has type 1 diabetes.

Coach Alex introduced Jack to her dog, Oliver.

As part of their grand opening fun,

Sunday Cycles provided a big bounce house for the kids.

Jack jumped and jumped and jumped

and then went low a few times.

There's Gregg testing his blood sugar level.

Jack treated his lows with juice, while hanging out with his buddy Max Birmingham, who knows all too well what a low feels like. I love how Max propped his hand on Jack's shoulder.

These boys are so cute together!