Six months ago, Chad Burkhart traveled to Amelia Island, Florida, to raise money for diabetes research and to challenge himself to ride 35 miles on his bicycle.

He’s gearing up for a return trip later this year, but his team and fund-raising goals for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund have tripled.

Burkhart, Dr. Larry Ertel and his wife Gina Lang are working together to raise $7,500 for type 1 diabetes research and increase their riding goal.

Last year, Burkhart completed 26 miles in his first attempt.

“I’m challenging myself to ride 1,000 miles this year” in total, he said. “My goal down there is 55 miles.”

The three have already been training on their bicycles for this October’s ride in Amelia Island.

“(April 30) we had a small ride,” he said, followed by a happy hour. “We raised $1,800. In June or July, we’re going to do a swim-a-thon at Parks and Rec. We’ll have all kinds of little events.”

Fundraising is well underway, which Burkhart called his biggest challenge last year working solo.

“Last year, I reached my goal the weekend before I left for Florida,” Burkhart said. “I think it affected my level of training. This year I know I’ve got help and two other people… As a team, the stress of fundraising is not all on me.”

For Burkhart, who was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic when he was 6, the cause is personal. Technology and treatment has progressed by leaps and bounds in the last 30 years, he said, and he believes a cure may be coming. One possible cure is already in human trials, he said.

“From what I was told last year, se should have a cure in the next 10 years,” he said. “That’s my reason for riding. Gina told me she was riding for all the type 1 diabetics in Clark County.”

Most of the money raised will go to JDRF to fund research

The ride will be the first week of October and is open to all, diabetics or not.

“The ride is the victory lap after the fundraising,” he said.

For more information, contact Burkhart at jcburkhart1022@gmail.com.