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The NovoLog Ultimate Walk
Diabetes affects over 16 million Americans. This disease is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks and amputations in the United States. More people will die this year of diabetes than they will die of breast cancer and AIDS combined. 98 billion dollars is spent annually on treating diabetes. While millions of dollars and millions of human hours have been spent on diabetic research, there is still no cure.
The NovoLog Ultimate Walk to Cure Diabetes will embark on its journey across the Antarctic in November 2002. The primary goal is to raise money to accelerate research for the cure of diabetes. A small team will trek to the South Pole, a journey lasting 60 days and covering 730 miles. This will be a tough and arduous trek in the most remote land on our planet.
A successful expedition requires careful attention to physical fitness, food intake and a burning desire to succeed. Diabetes requires much of the same, if one is to live a healthy and productive life. To survive, a person with diabetes must monitor blood glucose levels, balance dietary needs, adjust insulin levels, and exercise daily.
All team members have diabetes in their daily lives:
Will Cross, expedition leader, has had diabetes for 25 years. Will has been alpine climbing and mountaineering for many years. He has successfully summitted Aconcagua, the Grand Teton, Mt. Blanc, the Matterhorn, Denali, and Alpamayo. He has also traversed the Mountains of the Moon, and crossed the Sahara desert. Will is a recipient of the gold Congressional Award for his initiative, achievement, and service in outdoor leadership.
Expedition member, Dr. Bret Goodpaster, is a diabetic research scientist at the University of Pittsburgh. Jerry Petersen, whose father was diabetic, is also a member of the expedition team. Will's father, Mike Cross, is also diabetic. He will be joining the team for the last two degrees. Funding Director, Richard Danforth, has had diabetes for 27 years.
The expedition team will travel on skis over some of the most rugged terrain in the world. During the 60-day trek, they will pull 150 lb. sleds for over 700 miles. Winds blow steadily and can bring the temperatures consistently below 30 degrees F. Windblown snow collects to form 7-foot embankments called sastrugi. The team must take off their skis and traverse on foot to continue around these obstacles. Crevasses (deep rifts in glacier surfaces) are prevalent, and can swallow the team at any time. The terrain can be mind numbing and blank; marked occasionally by distant peaks and clumps of ice called nunataks.
There are many other hazards besides the extreme temperatures and difficult terrain. White outs, dehydration, exhaustion, and injury can daunt any team. But, frozen insulin, a propensity to frostbite due to nerve damage, and the need to avoid low blood sugar are colossal challenges specific to a diabetic.
The NovoLog Ultimate Walk to Cure Diabetes will focus national attention on the disease and provide a unique opportunity to educate the public about diabetes. An advanced telecommunications system will provide video and audio links from the ice to audiences around the world. The team's progress will be followed by satellite and available on the website - curewalk.com. These images will be spectacular.
A skilled New York based public relations firm, The Dilenschneider Group, has volunteered to help develop interest among the national media and will help arrange lecture and book opportunities once the expedition has concluded. In addition to this, The NovoLog Ultimate Walk to Cure Diabetes will be a feature article in JDRF's (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) Countdown magazine in February 2001.
The NovoLog Ultimate Walk to Cure Diabetes will benefit the diabetic community in several ways:
- Raise money for diabetic research
An international fund raising campaign has been established. Organizations and individuals are invited to contribute to find a cure for diabetes. All money goes to JDRF/Diabetes UK - an organization established solely to search for the cure for diabetes.
- Scientific Research
Dr. Bret Goodpaster of the University of Pittsburgh will conduct first time research on metabolism and muscle function in a person with diabetes. The research will occur prior to, during, and following the journey.
- Inspire and Educate
We aim to inspire young people with diabetes and their families to pursue their dreams. This will occur by the completion of the trek by expedition members with diabetes. The Children's Museum, the Pine-Richland school district and Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium will help educate children about diabetes and the Antarctic via the live satellite and website connections with team members throughout the trek.
Presently, organizers are actively seeking financing for the non-profit expedition through contributions from private individuals and grants from industry and foundations. All proceeds will go directly to fund research for the cure. Sponsorships and endorsements have been secured from Labwerks Interactive, Hayden Associates, The Dilenschneider Group, Briggs Pacific Industries, Pittsburgh's Children's Museum, The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, Mountain Dreams International, Inc., American Alpine Club and JDRF/Diabetes UK. We encourage and invite your support. Contact: info@curewalk.com or Will Cross at 412-361-6171.
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Trip Map
Click on the image above to view larger version of trip map.
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