One Soldier's Dedication to
the Cause
By JENNIFER HOUCHINS
What do the ADA Tour de
Cure in San Antonio and Iraq
have in common? One dedicated
soldier.
Sand J. Nieto, a Floresville
native and a 12-year active
reservist as a Sergeant in the
United States Army, is currently
on her tour in Iraq. Previously
stationed at Ft. Sam Houston,
Sand was transferred to the
350th HRC in Grand Prairie last
June, where she and her unit
were then deployed. Although
not expected to be home for
good until November of this
year, Sand is scheduled for a 12-day R&R pass in time for the
Tour de Cure.
Believe it or not, even
halfway around the world, one
dedicated woman is not only
serving her country, she is ‘training’
for the Tour de Cure. She
knows all too well about diabetes
and the toll it can take on
one’s life. She got her inspiration
to join the Tour after the death of her father in May
of 2006. He suffered from diabetes and the complications
that are associated with the disease. “I hope that
one day someone else’s father can be saved by a cure,”
comments Sand.
An avid cyclist all her life, Sand finds it relaxing, both
mentally and physically. The plan is to ride the 50-mile
route from San Antonio to San Marcos. However, if she
is unable to make it home in time for the Tour, she still
plans on riding 50 miles in Iraq. She already has a 25-mile loop mapped out. “I’m inspired by the Tour de Cure
cause and want to be a part of it each and every year; no
matter where I happen to be in the world, geographically,”
adds Sand.
Sand is completely devoted not only to her country
but to finding a cure for diabetes. By joining the Tour de
Cure, she feels a big part of the cause. And because
there is limited transportation at her base in Iraq, many
soldiers turn to riding bikes. From that she was inspired
to have her own “Tour
de Cure” thousands of
miles from home.
She hasn’t officially
registered a Tour
team, but through her
enthusiasm for the
ride, she has already
recruited four other
soldiers to join her.
She believes within a
few weeks the number
will climb as the word
spreads across the
base. Back at home she will be riding as an individual
rider with her friend.
Although life is extremely stressful, and it can be very
lonely serving her country in Iraq, she’s managing to find
strength to make the best of the current situation and
enjoy the little down time they get. “We do this in order
to enjoy the liberty of American freedom while here in
Iraq. I’ve managed to map out a route to ride just to
bring a little of the Tour de Cure in America here to our
soldiers in Iraq,” adds Sand.
Sand is constantly advocating for the American
Diabetes Association and Tour de Cure, telling people
her personal story. She encourages others to get
involved, to get the information and even to register for
the event themselves. “I’d just like to encourage others
to always support charities. Especially when it comes to
supporting a cause that hits close to home. In my case,
it is this: finding a cure for diabetes,” concludes Sand.
Although the soldiers are not soliciting money while
on their tour, they have set up their own Tour de Cure
Web sites to share with family and friends, who in turn
can contribute via the Internet. The soldiers are able to
share their own personal stories and inspiration as to
why they are committed to the cause.
Sand is truly a dedicated and strong woman both to
her country and raising awareness of diabetes. So if
someone thousands of miles from home who is actively
serving her country can still focus on the mission of the
ADA, then cyclists back home should be inspired by
Sand’s dedication and join in her efforts.
To support Sand J. Nieto, please visit
www.diabetes.org/tour, click on Texas/San
Antonio/Donate and enter her name.
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