'Ride to cure diabetes' to take place at TDU

Over 170 amateur cyclists from over Australia will converge on the Barossa Valley, near Adelaide, on Saturday, January 20, to participate in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) "Ride to Cure Diabetes". The annual fundraising ride will raise money for research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications.

The Ride - which coincides with the Tour Down Under - is sponsored by Jacob's Creek and supported by former Tour de France pro rider, Australia Stephen Hodge. Local sporting identity, Nathan Bassett from the Adelaide 'Crows' Aussie Rules team - who has type 1 diabetes - will join the cyclists on one of 35, 80 or 160km courses.

Mike Wilson, CEO of JDRF, said, "Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and its causes have nothing to do with diet and lifestyle. We're working to find a cure so children and adults with type 1 diabetes no longer have to endure multiple daily injections, blood glucose tests, life threatening 'hypos' and the fear of developing serious complications. I would like to encourage everyone to support the Ride by making a donation. Or take up the challenge by registering for the Ride yourself."

The most serious form of diabetes, type 1 diabetes occurs when the body loses its ability to produce insulin. Generally striking children and young adults, it makes sufferers dependent on multiple injections of insulin every day, just to survive. It can't be prevented and there is no cure. Many people believe that insulin is a cure but even with insulin type 1 diabetes causes severe health problems over time, such as heart disease, amputation, blindness and kidney failure.

The Ride will start and finish at the Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre, at Barossa Valley Way, Rowland Flat, with staggered start times of 7.30am, 9.00am and 10.30am. For further information, to register online or to make a donation visit the JDRF website.