Propelled by Love, Brothers Pedal to Aid a Quest for a Cure

5 Band Together for Diabetes Bike-a-Thon, Inspired by a 6-Year-Old Boy's Plight

Daniel White and his son Joseph, who is diabetic, at the Bike Doctor of Waldorf. Below, White tests a bike before buying it. He and his four brothers will fly to Santa Rosa, Calif., on June 21 to pedal in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Ride to Cure Diabetes. Joined by eight friends and extended family members, the group is on pace to raise more than $50,000. (Photos By Mark Gail -- The Washington Post)

When Daniel White decided to ride in a 102-mile bike-a-thon to raise money for diabetes research, his four brothers quickly followed.

No surprise there. The five are close, having spent part of their childhood squeezed into the same bedroom. And they knew how diabetes afflicts Daniel's son Joseph, who must get at least six insulin shots a day.

Then came the first step in their bike-a-thon preparations: buying the bicycles. Before this project, only one of the brothers had any recent cycling experience.

"We need some rearview mirrors so we can see John," Mike White told a bicycle shop salesman earlier this spring, referring to his brother standing nearby.

All five had gone to the Bike Doctor of Waldorf. The Whites make an interesting mix: a St. Mary's County prosecutor (Daniel), two police officers (Jim and Tom), one retired police officer (Mike) and a founder of a marketing company (John). On June 21, all five plan to fly to Santa Rosa, Calif., to pedal in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Ride to Cure Diabetes.

Joined by eight friends and extended family members, the group is on pace to raise more than $50,000.

Inside the bike store, Mike's rearview-mirror crack was the latest in decades of the brothers' running commentary on one another.

"How," John responded, turning to Mike, a retired state trooper who was standing next to current trooper Tom, "are you guys going to bring your doughnuts out to California?"

If there's one person who stops them in their tracks, it is Joseph. In the bike shop, the 6-year-old was sitting on a bench near his dad and uncles.

Amid the banter, he pulled out his glucose testing kit. As he does at least eight times a day, he pricked his finger, placed a strip on the blood bubble and called out his total.

"Daddy, it's 319," he said, knowing the level was high.

"Dan, it's 319," John quickly repeated.