Diabetes can be controlled, but if you are not a member of a medical aid, it is a real challenge that drains the family.
Team Cycle 4 Diabetes (c4d) is an initiative of local general practitioner, Dr Jacques van Staden who wants to promote the awareness of people living with diabetes and to raise funds so that the upgraded analogue insulin can be administered to the needy children in the Southern Cape.
Van Staden, a keen competitive cyclist himself, wants to replace 'big needle syringes' with the more sophisticated, user friendly insulin Flexpen, a prefilled insulin delivery system.
Currently this dedicated team of cyclists raises around R800 000 a year to provide 16 children with analogue insulin, which costs R50 000 per year per child.
Team c4d is embarking on the first ever road cycling team relay from Johannesburg to George. 16 volunteer cyclists of which 12 are from the Southern Cape are aiming to complete the 1 200km in a maximum of 48 hours. Legendary former Springbok rugby player, Joel Stransky will join the team to add his voice to raising the awareness for diabetes.
Van Staden's secondary aim with team c4d is to establish and provide a Southern Cape platform for junior and underprivileged cyclists to be able to experience a top club setup. This promotes cycling in the Southern Cape by selecting the best cyclists to compete against the best in SA. The relay will also raise funds for this cause.
Danzil Africa of Oudtshoorn whose potential was identified by his teacher, joined the team in 2011and has grown to a point where he now receives podium positions on a regular basis. Team c4d supplied Danzil's road bike and assists with entry fees, accommodation to away events, travelling costs, food, supplements, and a small monthly stipend. The drug company Novo Nordisk, which manufacturers insulin is also a co-sponsor of the initiative. Danzil says his hero is still Lance Armstrong, but he is very disappointed with the turn in his career.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that 840 000 South Africans are diabetic while other studies say there may be as many as 3,5 million diabetics. According to the World Diabetes Foundation less than half of South Africans with diabetes are diagnosed. Without a diagnosis and treatment, complications from diabetes rise at an alarming rate.
Van Staden says that Type 2 Diabetes sufferers live with the disease for up to 5 years before being diagnosed. "This is why awareness is so critical in our society. Most at risk of developing diabetes are the black community mainly due to rapid lifestyle and cultural changes, and people of Indian descent because of their hereditary genes and diet."
For further information please contact Dr Jacques van Staden at 044 874 4990. For financial donations contact Lebo or Shirley at Power House Public Relations in Johannesburg on 011 784 0602 or email info@prpowerhouse.co.za.
Schedule
Cyclists depart from Novo Nordisk offices in Rivonia at 10:00 on 8 November and arrive at the Garden Route Mall in George at 10:00 on 10 November. George mayor Charles Standers, Deputy Mayor Daniël Maritz and Councillor Iona Kritzinger will cycle the last 5 km to the Garden Route Mall with the team. Follow the team on twitter @Change_Diabetes or on Facebook www.facebook.com/ChangingDiabetesZA.
Dr. Jacques van Staden crosses the finish line in the 36ONE-MTB-challenge in Oudtshoorn on 6 May this year when he secured first place for his relay team with just one second separating van Staden (front) and Pete Stopforth in the final dash for the finish line. Photo: dirtjam.co.za.
Daniel Hodgson of Glenwood House will be participating in the Diabetes Cycling Challenge from Johannesburg to George.Photo: Myron Rabinowitz.
ARTICLE: MYRON RABINOWITZ
