Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA will once again support the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure this year.

Natalia Suarez is the director of application development and support at Massimo Zanetti. She rides for her grandmother, who passed away from diabetes complications, and for others in her life dealing with the disease.

Her husband, Francisco, has been riding in the Tour for more than a decade and typically raises $1,000 each year, she said.

The Tour also aligns with the company’s Way to Wellness initiative that encourages employees to have healthy lifestyles.

“We try to have happy and healthy employees and give back to the community as well,” Suarez said in a phone interview.

The company raised more than $5,000 in 2017 and is committed to raising even more money this year, she said.

“We’re trying to improve year over year,” she said.

The company is also looking to recruit more employees to participate. Six have already signed up for the event as of Friday, and the inclusion of the 5K run and walk this year should attract even more participants.

“We’re actually going to have a group of people who ride and another group for the 5K,” Suarez said.

The 2018 Hampton Roads Tour de Cure will take place on April 28, beginning and ending at the Suffolk Executive Airport. The route options are 10, 25, 65 or 100 miles. There will also be a 5K run and walk for those that don’t wish to ride.

There is a $25 registration fee and a $200 fundraising minimum. The registration fee will go up to $30 on April 1. The fundraising goal is $450,000, and approximately $150,119 has been raised as of Saturday.

Visit diabetes.org/hrtdc or call 424-6662 ext. 3269 for more information.