Two campaigning cyclists have recently completed a year-long trip cycling across more than 20 countries to help raise awareness about diabetes. They recently arrived in Singapore – the final destination of their 12-month cycling campaign trip, as previously covered in the August 2016 issue of the Desang Online Magazine.
Peli BioThermal provided vital products to ensure one of the cyclists, Type 1 diabetic Chiara Ricciardi, could safely store and protect her vital insulin and the sensors and strips used for measuring her blood sugar aboard her bicycle throughout the trip. The cyclists completed the 18,000 km trip using pedal power to cycle from Cesena, Italy, to their final destination of Singapore.
“The protection of insulin for one year, on a bicycle in very hot climates, was a challenge that we had never faced before. Insulin is vital for Chiara, so this wasn’t a small concern,” said Riccardo Rocchi, one of the cyclists.
Peli BioThermal’s Crēdo ProMed was a permanent fixture on Ricciardi’s bicycle throughout the 12-month momentous journey ensuring her medication remained intact without the need for external cooling for days at a time as they cycled across continents through some of the world’s toughest terrains and temperature extremes. In the picture on the right, Roy Pang, Asia Service and Operation Manager for Pelican BioThermal in Singapore, with the cyclists Chiara Ricciardi and Riccardo Rocchi on their arrival in Singapore. The Crēdo ProMed bag provided vital pharmaceutical protection en route, enabling diabetic cyclist Chiara Ricciardi to complete the trip while safely storing her insulin aboard her bicycle. Peli BioThermal joined fellow project partners, the Italian Association of Singapore and The Patissier, who staged two celebration events to welcome the cyclists to Singapore, the final destination in their pedal powered journey.
Ricciardi herself says, “The Crēdo ProMed was crucial to our trip and it performed perfectly. When the temperatures increased in the hottest climates we also put in the box for protection, the sensors and strips used for measuring
my blood sugar. For 385 days it carried my insulin ensuring the correct temperature for it, no matter the external condition. The regular cycling drastically reduced the amount of insulin I injected daily. I went down from needing 45/50 units per day to 20/30 units. I feel our trip was an unquestionable success. We showed people with diabetes and their families that the condition shouldn’t stop anyone from following their dreams.”
Adam Tetz, Peli BioThermal’s Director of Worldwide Marketing, said, “We congratulate Chiara Ricciardi and Riccardo Rocchi on completing their incredible cycling challenge. What they have achieved is remarkable and we’re delighted our Crēdo ProMed provided exceptional performance and peace of mind while helping the duo raise awareness for diabetes.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Riccardo Rocchi – For A Piece of Cake. www.forapieceofcake.com/en/
News items and features like this appear in the Desang Diabetes Magazine, our free-to-receive digital journal. We cover diabetes news, diabetes management equipment (diabetes kit) and news about food suitable for a diabetic diet. Go to the top of this page to sign up – we just need your email address. www.desang-magazine.co.uk