A West Bloomfield man with a heart geared for philanthropy plans to ride a bicycle home from Chicago today to raise funds for diabetes research.

Scott Grodman, a podiatrist who turns 50 this week, intends to finish Saturday at Leo's Coney Island. Along the way, he'll check-in to the above map with his location as well as an update to his progress.

Grodman and wife Karyn began began raising money for diabetes research in February 1994 shortly after discovering that their 15-month-old son, Jared, had diabetes. Then, when their youngest son Adam was born diagnosed with diabetes in July 1995, it only strengthened their resolve.

"We were so motivated by our sons' diagnoses and inspired by their shared determination to fight back against diabetes — a disease that affects over 300 million people worldwide. Over the years, as the boys grew older, the commitment my family made to raising money to fund research for a cure has taken different forms, but always remained strong," Grodman said in a release.

Grodman has organized fun runs and been a part of the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure, but has never biked 100 miles in a day solo. This year's event on his milestone birthday also carries with it a special significance regarding his own personal health moving into later years, Grodman said.

"I don't need gifts. I want to see a cure," Grodman told Patch.

Since its inception in 1999, The Grodman Cure Foundation has raised more than $700,000 for diabetes research at Children’s Hospital of Michigan and University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. 

For more information or to donate, visit grodman300.org.