The B.A.D Ride was born ten years ago in Southern California. B.A.D as in Bikers Against Diabetes. Rip Rose, a biker and photojournalist for Easyriders, wanted to bring the biker nation together in the fight against diabetes. Today, that dream is a reality.

On Sunday morning, June 10th, nearly two dozen Harley-Davidson motorcycles roared to life, heading out to Oak Canyon Park in Irvine, where they were joined by hundreds of other riders from Southern California at a fair with bands, food, vendors and a ride-in bike show. Sunday's event marked the ride's 10th anniversary. Rip's B.A.D Ride partners with the American Diabetes Association, and 80% of the money raised goes to diabetes research.

This story goes out to my dad, Bizzle. He's a HOG (a member of the Harley-Davidson Owners Group). He's told me they are the nicest people you will ever meet and that is why he enjoys his open road adventures. It looks like he's right. I think he would love to join a Rip's B.A.D Ride. Those of you HOGs interested in upcoming rides for diabetes, checkout the schedule. Thanks to all those who fire up for the sake of diabetes!

Diabetes is responsible for over three million deaths worldwide every year and is likely to affect about six percent of the global population by 2025. The warning came ahead of the 19th World Diabetes Congress to be held in Cape Town, South Africa.

There are currently 240 million people with diabetes worldwide. By 2025, 80 percent of people with the disease will live in developing countries. The conference, organized by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), has the potential to influence health authorities to make the fight against diabetes a higher priority. Raising awareness of the seriousness of diabetes is fundamental because of the considerable burden that diabetes exerts on often limited health resources. Rapid cultural and social changes are resulting in an increase in the numbers of people with and at risk of type 2 diabetes. Examples of these changes are growing urbanization and the adoption of unhealthy lifestyles.

Type 2 diabetes now accounts for approximately 85 percent to 95 percent of all diabetes cases in developing countries. The cases of pre-diabetes are more than twice that of diabetes in the African Region. Diabetes will be the pandemic of this century. The United Nations resolution launched a campaign on diabetes calling on individual countries to adopt national diabetes programs. The event will attract more than 10,000 medical experts, enlighten them with discussions of the latest scientific advances in the field, and offer practical information on diabetes care, advocacy and awareness.