SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Amgen Tour of California, known as "America's largest and most prestigious cycling event," is a 750-mile race that will begin on February 14th in Sacramento and end on February 22nd in Rancho Bernardo. For the first time, the race will include Team Type 1, a team that includes two members with Type 1 diabetes. Thanks to the OmniPod(R) Insulin Management System, Team Type 1 members Phil Southerland and Fabio Calabria will be able to concentrate on competing, rather than insulin injections and blood glucose monitoring, because they will be wearing their OmniPods during the race.
"Our goal is to show the world that people with diabetes can do everything those without diabetes can," said Calabria, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 13 and feared the condition might bring an end to his promising athletic career as a cyclist. "I am lucky to be armed with the OmniPod System which allows me to easily deliver the insulin I need to compete with the best cyclists in the world."
The OmniPod System consists of two wireless components: the Pod - a compact, lightweight, self-adhesive insulin delivery device that is worn discreetly on the skin beneath clothing; and the Personal Diabetes Manager - a wireless, menu-driven, hand-held device that programs the Pod.
"While racing, I am able to keep my Personal Diabetes Managers in the car that follows us. This is a major advantage over traditional insulin pump systems, with which you have to carry the machine at all times," Calabria explained.
About the OmniPod Insulin Management System
The OmniPod(R) Insulin Management System is the first and only continuous insulin delivery system of its kind on the market. The OmniPod System offers people living with insulin-dependent diabetes all the benefits of insulin pump therapy, with unprecedented freedom, comfort and ease in managing their diabetes. Unlike conventional insulin pumps, the OmniPod System has no tubing and features automated, virtually pain-free insertion. It has just two, wireless components: the Pod - a, compact, lightweight, self-adhesive insulin delivery device that is worn discreetly on the skin beneath clothing; and the Personal Diabetes Manager - a wireless, menu-driven, hand-held device that programs the Pod.
About Team Type 1
Team Type 1 was created in 2004 by Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge, a pair of avid cyclists with Type 1 diabetes. In 2006 and 2007, the pair captained Team Type 1 to back-to-back victories in the eight-person team division of the Race Across America (RAAM). In 2008, the team grew to become a 15-rider Continental team that included four riders with Type 1 diabetes. In their inaugural pro season, Team Type 1 compiled 45 victories, including winning the team classification at the Tour de Beauce and the Vuelta Mexico, and placing two riders (Glen Chadwick and Moises Aldape) in the Olympic road race in Beijing. For more information, go to http://www.teamtype1.org/.
About The Amgen Tour of California
The largest cycling event in America, the 2009 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race presented by AEG that challenges the world's top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding, recently expanded, 750-mile course from Sacramento to Escondido from February 14-22, 2009. Founded in 2005, Breakaway from Cancer continues to raise awareness and funds to support valuable services and programs, provided free of charge, that help people living with cancer. The initiative was created by Amgen as a complementary component to the company's sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California. This year, the initiative continues to support the important programs and tools offered by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and The Wellness Community. For more information and race updates see http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/.
About Insulet Corporation
Insulet Corporation is an innovative medical device company dedicated to improving the lives of people with diabetes. The Company's OmniPod Insulin Management System is a revolutionary, discreet and easy-to-use insulin infusion system that features two easy-to-use parts with no tubing and fully-automated cannula insertion. Through the OmniPod System, Insulet seeks to expand the use of insulin pump therapy among people with insulin-dependent diabetes. Founded in 2000, Insulet is based in Bedford, MA.
Media Contacts:
Erich Sandoval, Lazar Partners for Insulet Corporation
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