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In the News
Lew
Harper Memorial Youth Award
Annual
Bicycle Ride Benefits Diabetes Organization
Mountains for Active
Diabetics International Lectures
Wrestling With Diabetes In Demanding Sport, It Adds Extra Challenge
Whole-Grain Diet Reduces Diabetes Risk
The inaugural Lew Harper
Memorial Youth Award
to be presented at the DESA Chicago Conference, Dec 6, 2003
DESA proudly announces the
first annual Lew Harper Memorial Youth Award to honor the athletic and
scholastic achievement of an outstanding young DESA member.
"The award recognizes the courage
and determination of youth who manage well the challenges of diabetes
at a time in their lives when there are already so many complexities in
the task of growing up" says Paula Harper, DESA President. "These young
people are such an inspiration to so many others who need hope and encouragement.
Their stories need to be told and celebrated!"
The award is named after Lew
Harper, who along with Paula, helped form DESA and was a guiding force
in its early growth and direction. Lew epitomized the active lifestyle,
generous nature, devotion to family and leadership that fosters athletic
and scholastic achievement. As a youth he was a gymnast at Springfield
College, where his exceptional strength placed him in the role as anchor
in the Springfield triple balance team (see the sidebar picture which
shows Lew and his teammates demonstrating the "harper", a feat Lew designed
which is still a Springfield signature). Long distance cycling was his
passion, and he competed in many marathons and triathlons as well. A former
Naval Officer and Vietnam veteran, he was a business leader in Arizona
and a pioneer in the development of managed health care. Lew passed away
in 1998 from cancer after a brief illness.
The 2003 winner has been selected
and will be introduced at the awards gala on Saturday Dec 6, 2003. Candidates
for future awards can apply in person or be nominated by establishing
DESA youth membership, and submitting the required application information.
Forms are available online. The winner receives a $5000 prize. Applications
for the 2004 award are currently being taken for presentation at the March
2004 International Conference in Montecatini, Italy.
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Lew was an avid runner and had a passion for long
distance bicycling.
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Lew as the anchor of Springfield College's famous
"Harper" balancing position.
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Annual Bicycle Ride Benefits Diabetes Organization
(PHOENIX) More than 850 people participated in
the 12th annual Tour De Farm Bicycle Ride Saturday, Oct. 19 at Schnepf
Farms in Queen Creek, raising $17,000 for the Diabetes Exercise and Sports
Association (DESA).
The event featured a metric century ride (62.5 miles), a tandem start
ride, a 30-mile ride and a 12-mile family ride. The metric ride drew the
most participants with 549 cyclists, although more than 150 people also
participated in the 30-mile ride. Riders came from counties across the
state and one participant traveled from Vancouver, British Columbia to
participate in the day’s events.
Money raised from Tour De Farm will fund educational materials and be
used to generate public awareness for DESA through diabetes conferences
and activities geared toward educators, physicians, coaches, exercise
physiologists and people with diabetes.
“The annual bike ride is a great opportunity to increase awareness
for our organization and its work,” said DESA president, Ann Donahue.
“This year’s Tour De Farm was a huge success, and the money
raised will allow us to expand and improve the programs and services we
offer people with diabetes.”
DESA is an Arizona-based national nonprofit organization that enhances
the quality of life for people with diabetes through exercise and physical
fitness. DESA educates people of all ages with diabetes about the importance
of exercise in improving their health. It was founded in 1985 as the International
Diabetic Athletes Association (IDAA), and changed its name to Diabetes
Exercise and Sports Association in 2000 to include the word “exercise”
and better reflect the mission of the organization.
Mountains for Active Diabetics International
Lectures
The first ever-international weekend of mountain
active diabetics is being held at Plas Y Brenin, Capel Curig between March
21st and 23rd 2003.
Mountains for Active Diabetics (MAD) is a voluntary group of diabetics
from all over the world who all participate in extreme sports, from international
competitive fell running and mountain biking to big wall climbing and
alpine and Himalayan mountaineering.
Over 1.4 million people in the UK have diabetes, and it is estimated by
the Diabetes UK that this number is set to double by 2010. It is also
estimated that another 1 million people have diabetes but do not know
it.
Two exciting evenings of lectures are being organized with international
renowned speakers presenting a unique insight into extreme mountaineering
exploits – whilst balancing the inevitable challenges of diabetes
management.
Guest speakers included David Panofsky (USA), Marco and Sara Peruffo (Italy),
Vittorio Casiraghi (Italy), Jerry Gore (UK), Stephen Posnett (UK) and
Nikki Wallis (Wales) – who will be talking about the 2000 International
Diabetic Expedition to Aconcagua, the 2002 Italian Diabetic Expedition
to Cho Oyu, Big walling in Borneo and other exciting topics.
These unique lectures will be of interest to: expedition doctors, expedition
leaders, individuals with diabetes, friends and family of those with diabetes,
outdoor pursuits instructors, guides, trekking companies, teachers, outdoor
gear retailers, healthcare professionals, mountain rescue teams, climbers
and anyone else with an interest.
Tickets £5.
For more information, contact (01286) 872125 or visit www.idea2000.org
Wrestling With Diabetes
In
Demanding Sport, It Adds Extra Challenge...(cont.)
Whole-Grain Diet Reduces Diabetes Risk
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