May 7, 2009 (Toronto, Ontario) – Team Diabetes participants will be taking on another type of personal challenge this summer when they join hundreds of other mountain bikers for a 24-hour race during Hot August Nights, North America’s fourth largest event of its kind. The event will be held at Albion Hills Conservation Area in Bolton, Ontario August 22 – 23, 2009.

“We are excited to be part of Hot August Nights, as mountain bike racing fits nicely with our program’s evolution,” said Fred DeFina, Director, Team Diabetes, Canadian Diabetes Association. “In the beginning, Team Diabetes focused on running marathons and over time we have realized that the program needed to broaden its scope based on our participants’ desire to get active in different ways.”

Team Diabetes, which began nine years ago, is the national activity fundraising program for the Canadian Diabetes Association. The program promotes a healthy and active lifestyle where people of all fitness levels can train to walk or run a half marathon, full marathon or a shorter distance race in several exciting international and national destinations. Participants can also choose a hiking or cycling event.

“Those who join Team Diabetes raise funds for diabetes research, education, services and advocacy,” added DeFina. “Many people participate in the program because they have been affected by diabetes personally or have family members or friends living with the disease. Participants are extremely passionate about raising awareness of diabetes management and prevention.”

Individual riders and teams of all skill levels are welcome to join us for an incredible weekend. More detailed information is available at teamdiabetes.ca or by calling Nicole Downing at 416-408-7199.

The Canadian Diabetes Association works in communities across the country to promote the health of Canadians and eliminate diabetes through our strong nationwide network of volunteers, employees, healthcare professionals, researchers, partners and supporters. In the struggle against this global epidemic, our expertise is recognized around the world. The Canadian Diabetes Association: setting the world standard.