Team Novo Nordisk, the World’s First All-Diabetes Professional Athletic Team, is Changing Diabetes® in Toronto, Vancouver

MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 26, 2013 /CNW/ - Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s first all-diabetes professional athletic team, is gearing up for a series of professional competitions and speaking events to inspire all Canadians and instil hope in those living with diabetes that anything is possible.

Team Novo Nordisk is a global sports team comprised of cyclists, triathletes and runners who are all living with diabetes, fronted by the professional cycling team. The squad includes 17 professional all-diabetes riders from 10 different countries, including winners and podium finishers from professional races around the world. Team Novo Nordisk’s mission is to educate, empower and inspire those affected by diabetes.

Team Novo Nordisk is taking Canada by storm; after completing the Tour de Beauce in Quebec with three cyclists finishing within the top 40, the professional cycling team is set to compete in BC Superweek, a multi-stage race starting with Tour de Delta on July 5^th and finishing with Tour de White Rock on July 14^th, including the legendary GlobalRelay Gastown Grand Prix on Wednesday, July 10^th. Triathlete and Canadian Team Novo Nordisk member, Sebastien Sasseville will also be debuting in the teams’ first Canadian triathlon competition at the Peterborough Half Iron Triathlon on July 7^th.

“Team Novo Nordisk is racing as part of our long-standing Changing Diabetes^® programme, which aims to create awareness about and address the diabetes pandemic which affects 371 million people worldwide, and their families,” says Jakob Riis, Executive Vice President Global Marketing, Novo Nordisk.

BC Superweek consists of five stages around the lower mainland of British Columbia over 11 days. The timings, results and full details of all races will be reported on www.teamnovonordisk.com, and supporters can also follow the team at www.facebook.com/TeamNovoNordisk and www.twitter.com/TeamNovoNordisk. Sasseville will also be on hand at the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix.

“This team continues to grow in strength, and each race allows us to build on our competition experience as an all-diabetes team,” says Phil Southerland, Team Novo Nordisk co-founder and CEO. “When diagnosed with diabetes, many people think that it means they won’t be able to live a normal life and realize their dreams, but Team Novo Nordisk shows that, with good control, anything is possible.”

Sasseville will also be sharing his incredible and inspirational story about his journey from being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes to reaching the summit of Mount Everest and competing as a professional athlete in Toronto and Vancouver. The Toronto event will be taking place at the Cambridge Club on July 5^th at 7:00 p.m. and the Vancouver event will be held at the Westin Grand Hotel on July 8^th at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend these free events and parking will be validated in Vancouver.

Team Novo Nordisk
The Team Novo Nordisk professional men’s cycling team roster for 2013 includes:

Fabio Calabria (Australia), Andrea Ciacchini (Italy), Stephen Clancy (Ireland), Paolo Cravanzola (Italy), Joe Eldridge (USA), Joonas Henttala (Finland), David Lozano Riba (Spain), Javier Megias Leal (Spain), Kevin De Mesmaeker (Belgium), Justin Morris (Australia), Andrea Peron (Italy), Aaron Perry (New Zealand), Thomas Raeymaekers (Belgium), Branden Russell (USA), Andrei Strelkov (Russia), Martijn Verschoor (Netherlands), Chris Williams (Australia).

About Diabetes
Today, an estimated 371 million people are living with diabetes,¹ including approximately 3 million in Canada.² Changing Diabetes^® is the Novo Nordisk global commitment to improve conditions for the millions of people who live with diabetes around the world today, and those who are at risk of developing diabetes tomorrow. It is a global advocacy and partner platform which advocates for the prevention and early detection of diabetes, as well as improved treatment, care and health outcomes.

Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within haemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. For more information, visit novonordisk.com.

Reference

1. International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 5^th Edition, 2012 Update. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation. Available from: http://www.idf.org/diabetesatlas. Last accessed: November 2012.
2. Canadian Diabetes Association. “The prevalence and costs of diabetes.” Accessed on February 8, 2013 at http://www.diabetes.ca/documents/about-diabetes/PrevalanceandCost_09.pdf.

SOURCE Novo Nordisk Canada Inc.

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Image with caption: “Team Novo Nordisk (CNW Group/Novo Nordisk Canada Inc.)”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130626_C3306_PHOTO_EN_28505.jpg

Image with caption: “Team Novo Nordisk (CNW Group/Novo Nordisk Canada Inc.)”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130626_C3306_PHOTO_EN_28504.jpg