A team of 10 riders, including members of the South Australian Police force, will cycle from Sydney to Surfers Paradise in a bid to raise over $10, 000 for research to find a cure for type 1 (juvenile) diabetes.

The 1200km bike ride will take the team seven days to complete, and kicks off from Manly Beach at 7am on Monday 1 May 2004.

The riders include Adam Serafini (Australian Crime Commission), Derek Hasel (Drug & Organised Crime), Walter Conte (Child Exploitation Unit), Damien Eichner, (Child Exploitation Unit), Jake Stubing (Special Task.& Rescue Division), as well as riders from the R.A.A.F. and private sector.

Derek said the ride was inspired by co-workers who have family members with type 1 diabetes.

“We decided to undertake this Ride to raise money for research, so that our loved ones can hope for a cure in their lifetime,” said Derek. “It’s a real eye-opener to learn how serious type 1 diabetes is. Many people simply don’t realise how difficult it is to manage and assume that insulin is a cure. Unfortunately it’s not. We hope that our ride will raise awareness about how important it is to find a cure. The only way this can happen is through medical research, and through the Ride we will do what we can to fund more research,” he said.

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is the most serious form of diabetes. A life-long ‘autoimmune’ disease, the body’s immune system turns on itself, destroying the insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas and removing the body’s ability to produce insulin. It usually begins in childhood or early adulthood, although it can occur at any age.

People with type 1 diabetes must take up to 6 insulin injections every day for the rest of their lives, just to stay alive. They must also draw blood from their fingers to test their blood glucose levels more than four times each day. Unlike the more widespread type 2 diabetes, it cannot be prevented, nor can it be managed by diet or other lifestyle choices alone. There is no cure. The disease is associated with serious health problems including kidney disease, heart disease, visual impairment, amputation and stroke.

Ride Itinerary

The team will follow the Pacific Highway:

1 May: Manly to Newcastle (132kms)
2 May: Newcastle to Forster (158kms)
3 May: Forster to Port Macquarie (119kms)
4 May: Port Macquarie to Macksville (124kms)
5 May: Macksville to Grafton (150kms)
6 May: Grafton to Evans Head (135kms)
7 May: Evans Head to Byron Bay (72kms)
8 May: Byron Bay to Surfers Paradise

Supporting the Riders

The ‘Tour de Cure’ coincides with one of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s major annual fundraising events - Jelly Baby Month - in May. To support the riders, the community can make a donation to JDRF or purchase any of the Jelly Baby merchandise. JDRF hopes to raise over $800, 000 for medical research into type 1 diabetes by selling jelly babies and jelly baby merchandise. Jelly Baby products will be available throughout May at Woolworths and Safeway Supermarkets, Amcal Pharmacies, Medibank Private, Jay Jays Jeans and Wendy’s Ice Creams.

The 2004 range of products includes:

• Jelly Baby confectionary - $2
• Bookmark - $2
• Lapel Pin - $3
• Pen - $5
• Teddy Bear Key tag - $5
• Pedometer - $10
  

Derek Hasal is available for interview.

For further information:

Karolyn Andrews, Media & PR Manager, JDRF
Ph. 02 9966 0400 (x203) or 0403 787 077 | email: kandrews@jdrf.org.au