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Canadian Motorcyclist to Ride for Diabetes Monday, April 14, 2008 10:07 AM By Jeff Grever NIAGARA FALLS, ON – Michael Cole lives in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada and has been battling Type I Diabetes for 38 years since he was diagnosed at the age of eight. Cole, now 46 years old, has experienced many of the most difficult complications of this disease that affects millions of people around the world today. He was in a coma at the age of 13, his heart stopped from a severe hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) episode at the age of 30, and he has to deal with the everyday rigors that come along with closely monitoring his blood glucose level. Now Cole faces his biggest challenge to date. He has teamed up with a Columbus, Ohio-based organization, The National Diabetes Resource Center (NDRC), to sponsor a dangerous ride across Canada on his Harley Motorcycle. Michael’s ride is called “The Winter Harley Ride Across Canada (for Diabetes),” and he has started his own Facebook page for it. “I plan to start on January 1, 2009 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and ride across Canada to Victoria, British Columbia,” Cole said. “It’s over 7,500 kilometers, which I think is over 4,000 miles.” Actually, it is a 4,711 mile ride…in the middle of winter. “I thought riding in the winter might draw more attention to the cause,” he added. Cole is trying to raise awareness and money for diabetes education and research. “I plan to give all the money to The National Diabetes Resource Center for diabetes education, and probably The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) for research.” Christina Staccia, the program manager and owner of the NDRC, pointed out that “Over 170 million people across the world have diabetes, and the World Health Organization anticipates that to increase to over 300 million by the year 2025.” Staccia has lived with diabetes since she was an infant nearly 50 years ago. “We decided to support Mr. Cole because it is really important for people to understand what they need to do to take care of themselves,” she said. “If you want to benefit from the cure someday, then you have to be healthy enough to undergo the procedure once it arrives.” The NDRC provides diabetes education, vocational rehabilitation, and participates in advocacy for diabetes related causes all under the direction of Staccia, who has written a book on the topic called “Diabetes Living: The Will to be Well.” Staccia added, “It is so important for people to understand how to take care of themselves, and our mission is to keep people healthy enough to benefit from the cure when it comes.” Cole added, “I just want to make a difference and to help find a cure for people like me.” www.NDRC.biz www.diabetes.ca
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