4 November 2013
Cyclists unite in the Barossa for T1D
17-19 January 2014
Cyclists around the country are invited to South Australia’s beautiful Barossa Valley to take part in a challenging ride and fundraising event. An annual event, Ride to Cure Diabetes 2014 will see riders unite in the Barossa from 17-19 January 2014 to raise funds for medical research into type 1 diabetes (T1D) – a chronic disease that affects an estimated 122,300 Australians.
Now in its 11th year, Ride to Cure Diabetes is organised by JDRF, the leading global organisation funding the best medical research around the world for T1D. Funds raised from the event assists JDRF’s research strategy to cure, treat and prevent T1D.
“We are currently supporting up to 40 Australian research projects and have dozens more that we would like to fund. Your participation in Ride to Cure Diabetes will help make a million dollar impact on JDRF’s investment in Australian medical research,” said Mike Wilson, CEO, JDRF Australia.
The three-day cycling event offers riders the option of competing in one of three professional run courses - 35km, 80km or 160km – each passing through the scenic vineyards of the famous Barossa Valley.
Riders may attend for just one day or stay for three days and make the most of a weekend in South Australia’s major wine-producing region and tourist hot spot that is 60km north-east of Adelaide.
Around 400 riders from individuals to corporate teams take part in the event each year to help raise around $1 million for T1D research.
Jamin Hill, Captain of the ANZ team, is participating in his seventh Ride To Cure Diabetes event with 12 ANZ Sydney colleagues.
"It's a brilliant event, incredibly well organised with a wonderful cross section of participants, organisers and helpers,” said Jamin Hill.
"Having witnessed first-hand the challenges of living with type 1 (my wife's brother), knowing I'm doing something to help find a cure is great motivation.
"Forming a corporate team has the added benefit of helping to build quality relationships with colleagues outside of the workplace," he said.
Usually striking young people, T1D is an autoimmune disease that destroys the body’s ability to produce insulin, which is vital for life. T1D requires a daily regime of multiple injections or continuous infusion of insulin through a pump, as well as 6-8 finger-prick blood tests, just to stay alive.
Researchers are working hard to understand the complicated mix of genetic and environmental factors that may cause or trigger this disease. Although many people with T1D may look healthy, over time the disease ravages most organs and body systems.
Australia has the sixth highest rate of T1D in the world, after Finland, Sweden, Norway, UK and US*. There are six new cases a day and the incidence is increasing by three per cent each year.**
To participate in Ride to Cure Diabetes 2014, riders may choose from one of four packages and register online. Each package has a minimum fundraising target that ranges from $1,000 (a day only rider) to $3,500 (full-package rider), which includes the registration fee. For more on the packages and registration visit www.jdrf.org.au/ride
Follow Ride to Cure Diabetes on Facebook to learn more about the event, meet riders or stay up-to-date with event news www.facebook.com/RidetoCureDiabetesAu
*IDF (2009) http://www.idf.org/sites/default/files/Diabetes_in_the_Young.pdf
**Incidence of insulin-treated diabetes 2000-2009 (2012) Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Above image: Jamin Hill, ANZ Team Captain (left/centre), participating in Ride to Cure Diabetes.
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Further media information, interviews, images:-
Mandy Campbell, Media/PR, JDRF tel: (02) 9020 6114 or