HypoActive

 
WORDS FROM HYPOACTIVE RIDER GAVIN WRIGHT
 
Hi Everyone,
 
We've got a mixed bag of news this month: some brilliant, some rather the opposite, but here goes.
 
Firstly, congratulations of the highest and loudest order - I am super glad to announce that our Prez Monique is now officially on her way to being a proud mum.
Right in the grips and throes of midway first trimester, our HypoActive founder has no intention of doing anything other than continue to lead and inspire and I'm very glad to say that she'll still be present and participating in the whole gamut of HypoActive events.
Monique has some huge cycling achievements to be proud of and this next big adventure will be by no means any less of an achievement, although I do hope she doesn't attempt to do it on a bicycle.
Naturally, her husband Ewin is also to be given a big pat on the back. Ewin is not a type 1 diabetic, but has now shown his strength and stamina are not just limited to endurance cycling.
Monique and Ewin are expecting their happy issue early in the New Year.
Well done to both Monique and Ewin and we wish them all the very, very best.
 
On a much sadder note, I know that quite a number of readers of this newsletter know Paul Lynch (Lynchy). Lynchy was hit by a car while riding his bike along Beach Road in Black Rock about a week ago. He spent nearly a week in the Alfred Hospital, some of that time in the Intensive Care Unit. Although the injuries to his body are not grave, he is not at this point very well.
Lynchy has done seven M2Ms with HypoActive as well as a number of Swims and Runs for the Kids. He was in fact the only person to do all three of these events this year. Lynchy's a lovely bloke, always fun to be riding, running or swimming with. He's been an unflinching supporter and contributor to HypoActive ever since he joined the second ever M2M team. This has been a terrible ordeal for his parents and we wish him a speedy and full recovery and his mum and dad all the best.
Get well soon, Lynchy - we need that smiling face on the team.
For more on Lynchy's ordeal (and pictures of him in hospital reading that fabulous HypoActive article in Australian Cyclist): http://www.hypoactive.org/content/ha-rider-paul-lynch-recovers-hospital 
 

 
Which brings me to - many thanks to everyone who sent feedback on the HypoActive article in Australian Cyclist. If you haven't seen it, it's a three-page feature with photos taken over a couple of M2M's. Those pictured are: Ben, Rover, Duncan, Lynchy, Tim (hugely), Lars and Monique. Naturally, the article focuses on the cycling end of HA, but it has apparently gone down very well with our sponsors - and in return for their generosity it's always brilliant to be providing something tangible that expresses what we do - and I've had some great comments from HA folk (I'm the one wot rote ut).
I think it gave a very positive and informative impression of a group of cyclists who happen to have type 1 diabetes. Although it explicitly shows what this involves (bicycles and blood testing) it also depicts a group of people who are capable, smart and (I couldn't help putting in that bit at the end) sometimes very fast.
The article will probably be available online at the Australian Cyclist website, but not until the next issue comes out in two months time. If anyone was unable to track down a copy and simply can't wait then send me an email and I can post a photocopy (my details below).
  

UPCOMING EVENTS

RUN MELBOURNE WITH HYPOACTIVE
 

Event date: 18 July 2010
There is still time for runners and walkers to join our team for Run Melbourne - a 5km, 10km or half marathon running event.  We will be supporting Diabetes Camps Victoria in partnership with Diabetes Australia - Victoria. The Run for the Kids was a big success for HypoActive this year. Type 1's of all abilities joined in and did their respective distances. This event will be another opportunity to raise money for diabetic camps, a cause close to all our hearts. The order has already gone in for singlets for those in the team, but anyone signing up now and letting us know will get a free t-shirt and the rego fee (minus the late entry component) refunded. So please - why not give it a go and see if we can achieve a big presence for HypoActive on its first ever Run Melbourne.
Read about the event here: http://www.runmelbourne.com.au/home.php
Please register your interest here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9HJ5XTF
 

 
 
MUNJIE JUMPING - MUNJARA MTB WEEKEND
 
Event date: 3-5 September 2010
Please note the correct date for this event - I'm afraid we got it wrong last time (my apologies).

This promises to be an amazing weekend of fabulous MTB (that's MounTain Bike) fun in the glorious bush country around Glenmaggie in Gippsland. Greg and Mike are putting together an unforgettable couple of days on awesome trails and singletracks. Learn new skills or practice some old ones - and do it all in the company of type 1 diabetics. Greg has offered HypoActive a really generous package and the weekend will include all meals and guidance.
To make this event happen we do need a minimum number of people confirmed, so please everyone if you're not sure, commit now - you most certainly won't be disappointed, this is a real opportunity for some top mountain biking in the company of some great type 1 diabetics.
For more details: http://www.hypoactive.org/content/mountain-biking-munjara
To register your interest: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/M6BJSZY
 

BRISBANE TO GOLD COAST CHALLENGE
 
Event date: 10 October 2010
Last year 9 1/2 thousand cyclists did this 100km Sunday morning ride out of Australia's third largest city, through canefields, past theme parks and into the tourist nirvana of the Gold Coast. As part of every entrant's fee goes to Diabetes Australia Queensland and the Heart Foundation, it's a major diabetic event in Queensland and HypoActive has had a small team at the head of the ride for the last three years. HA has a member in Brisbane (Murray) and on the Gold Coast (Gavin) and both of them can be of some help with logistics if anyone is planning on travelling from elsewhere.
I'm really pleased to be getting the interest we have now had. It's looking like we may have a team of more than a dozen, which is really heart-warming after the efforts we have put in to make a presence felt over the last few years.. Type 1 cyclists have been getting in touch from Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Toowoomba and even Adelaide - and hopefully we'll carry on gathering more over the next couple of months.
Us Qld type 1 HA cyclists are also tickled pink to know that our glorious Prez Monique will be joining us this year. In case your maths (or human biology) is a little lacking, Monique will be about six months pregnant by then, so I think we can safely say that it won't be a 100km sprint this time.
This a Bicycle Queensland ride, a fairly flat one and a fun one for anyone who can do the distance, so why not come and join us?
If you're interested, get in touch with Gavin here: maldoror39@virginbroadband.com.au
For more info on this Bicycle Queensland ride: http://www.bq.org.au/b2gc100/
 

 
2011 MURRAY TO MOYNE DATES ANNOUNCED
 
Event date: 1-3 April 2011
The famous cycle relay across western Victoria covering 520km in 24 hours. This will be HypoActive's ninth entry in the event with a fully type 1 diabetic team. If you're thinking of joining the HypoActive team on this founding (and sometimes grueling, but always fun) event, then pencil in these dates on next year's calendar.
To read more about the event: http://www.murraytomoyne.com.au/
Check out HypoActive's page, with links to reports and pics on past M2Ms: http://www.hypoactive.org/content/murray-moyne-2011-number-nine
 

 
2011 MS MEGASWIM DATES TOO
 
Event date: 26-27 February 2011
Just announced over the last few minutes, the dates for next year's MS MegaSwim, HypoActive's wettest and most slippery event.
Pop on your pump smugglers and dive in here for more details: http://www.megaswim.com/about-the-swim.asp 
 
ACT1VATE II - THE SEQUEL
 
Event date: February 2011
After the success of the inaugural joint DAV / HypoActive exercise camp weekend in February of this year a rematch is now definitely being planned. Although all of the first event's sessions were found to be of great value there's honing work going on to sharpen the AcT1vate blade and bring type 1's an even better experience this time around.
The date hasn't been firmly set yet, but watch this space for more details as they emerge.
 
 

OTHER FANTASTIC STUFF
 
CHLOE'S FAMOUS
 
Those of us who rode on the 2008 Murray to Moyne had the very great pleasure of cycling with a visiting Canadian called Chloe. She wasn't a cyclist at all, but happened to be in this part of the world with her partner Rob. After the huge experience of a successful Murray to Moyne, Chloe went home and showed everyone that she wasn't just a HAY BAIL winner (and she was the HAY BAIL winner that year), but that she was inspired to big things.
And big things she certainly has achieved since. She formed the group Connected in Motion, which is all about uniting type 1 diabetics and providing activities that promote a healthy active lifestyle. They do all sorts of cool kayaking, hiking, swimming, rock-climbing and cycling stuff. Sometimes I think they make even HypoActive look like a bunch of couch potatoes.
The Ottawa Citizen is obviously one of the more intelligent papers in the region, as they chose to do an article on Chloe and her efforts. It's a totally awesome interview and I strongly recommend checking out both the article and Chloe's website. I'm almost certain it'll have you reaching for the phone, contacting a travel agent and murmuring the word, 'Canada'.
The awesome article: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/mobile/iphone/story.html?id=3090630
Connected in Motion: http://www.connectedinmotion.ca/
 
MARATHON DAN
 
Last weekend Dan Seller, long-term type 1 and HypoActivist, did the full distance in the Gold Coast Marathon. It was a huge personal success for Dan, who knocked 25 minutes of his last (and only other) marathon time, finishing in under four hours.
A marathon is a mean event and a benchmark achievement for anyone who is also managing type 1 diabetes.
Check out Dan's run in the sun here: http://www.hypoactive.org/content/marathon-dan
 

 
TYPE 1 POLE DIVAS UNLEASHED
 
On Friday 25th June, for the first time ever in all of history, a type 1 pole-dancing duo (our very own Laura and Lyndal) entered into amateur competition. The occasion was the famous Pole Divas Unleashed night and unleashed was certainly the right word, according to the pictures. The two diabetics twirled like flying nymphs around their shiny poles and although they didn't win they received many compliments on their synchronicity and costumes.
Read Laura's brilliant report and see the astonishing pictures here: http://www.hypoactive.org/content/type-ones-get-unleashed
 

 
GREAT WALL OF CHINA CHALLENGE NEEDS YOUR HELP
 
Type 1 Jill Gale from Gippsland, along with her good friend Debbie, have taken on a huge challenge: they intend to participate in the DA-Vic 'Take Steps to the Great Wall of China' this October.  To do so, they must each fundraise $6,500.  This is an enormous amount of money to find in a fairly short time, but it's also a big sum that will go directly towards diabetic camps. We all know the value of these camps - this is the very same cause that we work so hard for every year on the Murray to Moyne.
Please remember these donations are tax deductable and any businesses helping the cause will get plenty of accreditation for doing so.
They really have taken on a huge challenge and deserve our support - not just in spirit, but in any events they organise and with donations on their webpage. Monies raised go to supporting Diabetes Camps Victoria, a charity close to the heart of anyone who grew up with type 1 in Victoria and attended one of their camps between the ages of 8 and 17.  Please join their Facebook page, make a donation and keep a track of their fundraising events and links.

Jill and Debbie's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Debbie-and-Jill-Fundraising-Challenge/103533093028529?ref=ts&v=wall
And their all-important Everyday Hero page for much-needed donations: http://www.everydayhero.com.au/debbie_and_jill
 
TYPE 1 WALLABY MAKES FRIENDS
 
Jared Banks bonded with his new mate and former Wallaby Rod Kafer over rugby scores and BGLs when they met recently in Brisbane to hand over a special JDRF rugby jersey. Rod, who had a distinguished on-field rugby career, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 15. Rod has said that dealing with diabetes is a challenge that be faced in a number of ways. For him, 'Sport was an outlet that allowed me to turn this challenge from a negative to a positive, which has shaped my life since the day I was diagnosed.' A wonderful role model for nine-year-old Jared.
To read more: http://www.jdrf.org.au/blog/2010/06/09/jared-scores-a-goal-for-type-1-diabetes/
 
TRIAL SHOWS PROMISING BCG VACCINATION RESULTS
 
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a drug currently approved in the US for vaccination against tuberculosis and treatment of bladder cancer. Recent American tests have shown that this drug may be of significant help to type 1 diabetics. My understanding is that any islet cell replacement will be killed off over time by certain white blood cells acting irrationally and of their own accord. BCG lowers the level or even eliminates these evil white blood cells, allowing successful transplants or implants in type 1 diabetics.
Read the Science Daily article here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100628112121.htm
 
ONLINE RESEARCH SURVEY FOR TYPE 1 WOMEN
 
Kim Henshaw at DAV has asked us to have look at this one. Nicola Gawlick has had type 1 diabetes for over 10 years and is an Honours student in the School of Psychology at Flinders University (South Australia). She's currently doing research for a thesis concerning the health and well-being of women with type 1 diabetes. (Participants need to be at least 18 years old.)
The survey takes about 10 minutes, so I'm told. This has been quite a challenge for Nicola, who could have chosen an easier subject. 'I am passionate about the well-being of individuals with T1D, and if I can recruit enough participants I believe I will be able to make a significant contribution to current knowledge (or lack of),' says Nicola.
An important academic study and a matter of great importance to Nicola - it would be great if type 1 women reading this could help her out and do the survey.
You will find it here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/diabeteshealthandwellbeingsurvey_flindersuniversity
 
CYNTHIA KHAN WILL BE MISSED
 
Finally, and very sadly, a few words just to remember Cynthia Khan, a volunteer at DESA (Diabetes Exercise and Sports Association) and camp counselor at Adam Driscoll's Extreme Weekends.
Cynthia died of an overnight hypo attack, not the first person this year to do so. It's a sad loss, a dreadful waste and a chilling reminder to us all of a risk we constantly face.
I didn't know Cynthia (I know Monique did from her travels in the US), but she is described as a great role model for all the kids, a woman who always had a smile on her face, a go-get-'em attitude and a positive outlook.
The Adventures for the Cure website has a page about Cynthia and is organising an on-going memorial scholarship fund to raise money to fund extra places on Extreme Weekends.
You can read about it and donate here: http://adventuresforthecure.com/extremeWeekend/cynthiaKahnMemorialFund.html
 
 

That's all for now.
 
Cheers,
 
Gavin
 
 
Unsubscribe from this newsletter: http://hypoactive.org/newsletter/confirm/remove/ae340d3747203t28