Edit: Wasn't too clear just having website field - To Join the Team - either to participate in person or as a Virtual Member to help fundraising efforts or to make a donation go here:

http://main.diabetes.org/goto/compasscoffee

Hi I'm Mike the Head Bean and Roast Master of Compass Coffee here in Vancouver (not BC!) Washington (not the Capital!). I am committed to walk and raise money in this inspirational event because I personally know some of them and I am now one of them.

July 25, 2012 my life changed forever. I'd been having a hard time breathing for a couple days because of a virus that had hit my lungs hard. Ended up going the the ER that night barely able to breath. This was the third time in my life this had happend - the last time over a decade ago. While on a second round of breathing treatments they came back and took a 2nd blood sample for more testing. Came back later and asked when I'd eaten last. Told them 7 or 8 hours ago. They told me me fasting blood glucose was at 300. 300 compared to what, didn't mean a thing to me! I was diagnosed as Type 2 Diabetic. That 300 would have been in the range of 70 to 100 for a normal person! I was given a prescription for Metformin 2x500 and sent home with follow-up appointment with a Dr of Internal Medicine.

Saw the doctor the morning of July 31st and got a meter to monitor my blood sugar levels. Took my first after meal reading in his office - 430. I'd done a bit of online research by then, enough to know this was very very bad, anything above 140 and organ damage begins! Did you know more people die of Diabetes each year than die from Cancer? One of the tidbits I'd picked up researching and now I got scared! A bit of researching turned into a lot of researching. Major lifestyle change was in order. In addtition to the oral meds and low carb smart carb diet began power walking a minimum 30 minutes per day August 9th. Yesterday September 1st was 24 days in 25 - 20th consecutive day power walking. As a small business owner I once upon a time made the excuse I didn't have time to exercise. Today different mindset, I make the time to exercise no matter what! Have heard some interesting comments people sometimes seeing me power walking in a big loop in front of the Roastery.

Results so far of taking control of this disease making drastic lifestyle changes? First 7 days testing averaged 215 before meals (target 70-110) after 307 (target 90-140). Month and a couple days later now and latest 7 day avg before meals 98 after 120! And feel 1000% better!

Chances are, you also know someone who has been affected by diabetes and you already know how important it is to stop this disease. By making a donation or joining our team, you will be helping the Association provide community-based education programs, protect the rights of people with diabetes and fund critical research for a cure.

As a team, united in our desire to Stop Diabetes, we are asking for your support. Please make a donation to one of our team members or become one of us by joining our team. When we bring together dedicated team members and kind donors, the power we have as a group far outweighs what any of us could do alone. 

We truly appreciate your support. Together we can Stop Diabetes!