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Otis woman cycles to raise money for diabetes

Wendy Lampro has bicycled in 100-degree heat and sub-freezing weather. Holly Pelczynski/Berkshire Eagle

OTIS — Wendy Lampro has biked thousands of miles in 100-degree heat, sub-freezing weather, and days following a serious operation — all in memory of her sister who died a decade ago this month.

Most recently in Tucson, Lampro planned to pedal in her fifth ‘‘Ride to Cure’’ since Kelly Alden-Terranova, 41, of South Lee, died on Nov. 25, 2003 from complications of Type 1 diabetes. The 111-mile cycling fund-raiser will benefit the Greater Connecticut/Western Massachusetts chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Alden-Terranova losing her 28-year battle with Type 1 and concern for those living with the disease formerly known as juvenile diabetes are key reasons Lampro pushes her body and bicycle to the limit.

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‘‘You get angry and bitter when you lose someone. There’s nothing you can do,’’ Lampro said. ‘‘When I’m out there [biking], it’s for my sister and others, as I have a friend whose daughter has Type 1.’’

Counting the Tucson event, Lampro, 45, will have raised $44,000 for the foundation dating back to her first Ride to Cure event three years ago. Lampro has bicycled twice in the scorching climate of Death Valley, Calif., — once 17 days after an operation that takes weeks of recovery — another in 20 degree temperatures in Lake Tahoe, Calif., and this summer in Burlington, Vt.

Barbara Weisman, regional development manager for the foundation, praised Lampro’s dedication to help find a cure for Type 1 diabetes. ‘‘She’s been one of our heroes,’’ said Weisman. ‘‘Wendy chooses to keep Type 1 in the forefront.’’

According to the foundation, 3 million Americans — 85 percent of them adults — have Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. Research scientists believe genetic factors and the environment triggers the disease, but no preventative measures or cure exists.

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Those with Type 1 diabetes have high-tech insulin pumps, support services, and a more caring public, unlike when Alden-Terranova was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 13 in 1975.

‘‘The stigma was horrible, as no one knew how to act around her,’’ said Lampro. ‘‘She lost her friends and, due to her health, eventually dropped out of high school.’’

Lampro says her sister managed to live with Type 1 and its complications, which included poor eyesight and loss of circulation to her extremities. Alden-Terranova would marry and have her own painting and stenciling business.

However, in early 2003, Alden-Terranova’s health began to deteriorate, resulting in her left leg being amputated below the knee.

She was awaiting a heart, liver, and kidney transplant when she died in 2003, two days before Thanksgiving.