Bike Beyond at Honig Winery in Napa, CA Raises Over $200,000 for Type 1 Diabetes Cure Research

Napa Valley, CA—On Wednesday, August 9, 2017, Beyond Type 1’s “Bike Beyond,” a 10-week summer cycling trip from New York City to San Francisco, hosted over 350 guests at their Napa Valley Pop-Up Party at the Honig Vineyard and Winery in Rutherford, California. The party raised over $200,000 for type 1 diabetes cure research.

Beyond Type 1’s Bike Beyond initiative, which kicked off in New York City on June 3, is wrapping up the 4,248-mile tour in San Francisco on Friday, August 11. The Bike Beyond Team of 20 international cyclists, all living with type 1 diabetes, has been making route stops across 15 states for education and advocacy events, fundraising opportunities and community building, including last night’s Pop-Up Party at the Honig Winery in Napa, which was hosted by Stephanie and Michael Honig.

Team Bike Beyond was escorted into Napa with the local sheriff and police force, as well as California Congressman Mike Thompson, who also rode in on a bike to celebrate the occasion. “The Honigs have been tireless advocates for Sophia and the millions of other children and families living with type 1 diabetes. Their efforts are more important than ever as federal funding for medical research comes under attack,” said Rep. Thompson.

The more than $200,000 raised for the Beyond Type 1 Cure Fund goes directly to innovative cure research focusing on immunology and cell therapies.

Additional notable moments during the Napa party included an impromptu live performance from Ambrosia songwriter David Pack, and a surprise flash mob, (choreographed by Regina Weinstein), in which host of the evening Stephanie Honig participated. Perhaps the most generous gift came from Bike Beyond national sponsor KNOW Foods’ CEO & Founder Steve Hanley.

Hanley learned that Team Bike Beyond had been riding on donated bikes from co-national sponsor Specialized bikes throughout the trip, but in order to keep the bikes, each rider would need to purchase their bike from Specialized once the trip was completed. During the party, Hanley surprised Beyond Type 1 and team Bike Beyond by purchasing all 20 state-of-the-art bikes from Specialized, so that each rider will now be able to keep their donated bikes after crossing the San Francisco finish line on Friday evening.

Moving speeches were given by hosts Stephanie and Michael Honig, who touched on their daughter’s diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and the importance of community awareness, by Beyond Type 1 CEO Sarah Lucas, who spoke about how incredible the Bike Beyond journey has been, and two Bike Beyond riders, Abbey Brau and Walt Drennan, who spoke about what the Bike Beyond ride has meant to them, as well as how special this summer has been knowing they’ve been able to spread awareness surrounding type 1 diabetes, moving party goers to tears.

 

The Napa Valley Pop-Up Party was made possible by lead sponsor Darioush, sponsors Breakthru Beverage Group, Chuck Wagner,David Drucker/Empire Merchants, Nadalié USA, St. Helena Hospital, The Rudd Foundation, Trinchero Family Estates, Inc., and The Winebow Group, as well as the host committee which included American AgCredit, Andrea Ivarsson + Bryan Kolozsi, Jamie Kurtzig + Family, Jelly Belly Candy Company, and Nomacorc | Vinventions.

Silent auction donors included: Alpha Omega Winery, Beran Wines, Chambers Hotels, BD Hotels, LLC, Charbay Distillery, Cynthia Carey/Jessup Cellars Gallery, DJ Boca Negra, Donny Frate, Mr. Jean and Dr. Karin Denoyer, Harvest Table by Charlie Palmer, Jordan Vineyard + Winery, Karen Rose, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Napa Valley Aloft Air Balloon Rides, NBCUniversal, The Restaurant at Meadowood, Rockin’ Love Producions/Dusty Kramer, Round Pond Estate, Staglin Famiy Vineyard, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery, and Volker Eisele Family Estate.

Wine and beverages were provided by Honig Vineyard and Winery, Beran Wines, C. Beck Winery, The Chafen Family Dutch Henry Winery, Charbay Distillery, The Frank Family, Luna Vineyards, Mad Fritz Brewing Co., St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery, Schramsberg Vineyards, Tobias Wines, and Vineyard 29. Music for the event was provided by Groovetronix Productions. Classic Party Rentals donated all of the evening’s party equipment, furnishing and supplies.

About Beyond Type 1

Beyond Type 1 was founded in 2015 by Nick Jonas, Juliet de Baubigny, Sarah Lucas and Sam Talbot, and is a new brand of philanthropy leveraging the power of social media and technology, changing what it means to live with a chronic disease. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an incurable, autoimmune disease impacting both adults and children. T1D accounts for roughly 10 percent of the more than 420 million global cases of diabetes, and people with type 1 are insulin-dependent for life. By educating the global community about this autoimmune disease, as well as providing resources and support for those living with type 1, Beyond Type 1 aims to bridge the gap from diagnosis to cure, empowering people to both live well today and to fund a better tomorrow.

With a focus on education, advocacy and the path to a cure, Beyond Type 1 has developed a broad ranging portfolio of grantees and programs aimed at improving the lives of people impacted by T1D. Beyond Type 1 is a registered 501(c) 3. 100 percent of every dollar raised directly supports the most promising global efforts and programs working to educate, advocate and cure type 1 diabetes. Learn more, here.

About Dexcom Inc.

DexCom, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, CA, is dedicated to helping people better manage their diabetes by developing and marketing continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) products and tools for adult and pediatric patients. With exceptional performance, patient comfort and lifestyle flexibility at the heart of its technology, users have consistently ranked DexCom highest in customer satisfaction and loyalty. For more information on the DexCom CGM.

About Insulet Corporation

Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ: PODD) is an innovative medical device company dedicated to making the lives of people with diabetes easier. Through its Omnipod Insulin Management System, Insulet seeks to expand the use of insulin pump therapy among people with insulin-dependent diabetes. The Omnipod is a revolutionary and easy-to-use tubeless insulin pump that provides up to three days of non-stop insulin delivery, without the need to see or handle a needle. Insulet’s Delivery Systems business also partners with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to adapt the Omnipod technology platform for the delivery of subcutaneous drugs across multiple therapeutic areas. Founded in 2000, Insulet Corporation is based in Billerica, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit their website.

About KNOW Foods

KNOW Foods is the leading provider of grain-free food products. Based in Atlanta, KNOW Foods helps health conscious consumers achieve their diet and fitness goals by producing delicious, nutritionally superior, natural, non-GMO, grain/gluten free and exceedingly low glycemic index alternatives to traditional grain-based foods. Products include: bread slices, buns, waffles, wraps, donuts, muffins, cupcakes, cookies, croutons, pancake mix, bread mix, pasta & more. Join the movement! Visit their website to learn more.

About Specialized

Specialized was founded in 1974 by riders for riders. Based in Northern California, we focus on the rider’s need for functional and technically advanced products that provide a performance benefit.

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Learn more about Bike Beyond and Beyond Type 1. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram at @BeyondType1 and on Twitter, @TeamBikeBeyond.