Sailor faces challenges to manage boat and his diabetes in Around Alone race

by Media Pro on 17 Sep 2002 After successfully completing all of his preliminary testing, John Dennis, a 57-year old business executive from Toronto has started the global, solo sailing race 'Around Alone 2002/2003.' Fewer than 120 people have ever sailed around the world alone, and now John is the first skipper to attempt this feat with diabetes.

Dennis is at the helm of his 50-foot sailboat Ascensia™ , named in honor of his principle sponsor, Bayer. Ascensia is the new global brand name for Bayer's
self-management diabetes monitors and services.

On September 12th , Dennis joined the other Around Alone skippers in a
prologue race from Newport, R.I. to New York. At noon on September 15th ,
the boats lined up near the Statue of Liberty and began the first leg of the
race to Torbay, England. From there the race will go to South Africa, New
Zealand and Brazil before returning to Newport in approximately eight
months. The official entry list consists of 14 competitors representing10
nations: seven in Class I and seven in Class II. Dennis is entered in Class
II.

'Around Alone' is an eight-month, 33,000 mile (28,000 thousand nautical
mile) race that requires skippers to sail around the globe alone. Sailors
who do these solo voyages run the risk of depression, sleep deprivation and
hallucinations, not to mention capsizing. John has the additional
responsibility of maintaining stable blood sugar levels, following a strict
diet and meal schedule, and managing a regimen of multiple medications.

'When I was diagnosed with diabetes eight years ago my dreams of entering
this race were dashed,' says Dennis. 'Then I learned that through regular
self-monitoring I could keep my blood sugar levels under control, maintain
my health, and enter the race. Now I'm excited for the race to begin so I
can show that people with diabetes don't have to leave their dreams behind.'

'Around Alone is the greatest mental and physical challenge in any sport,'
said Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Clipper Ventures plc, race
organizer of Around Alone. 'This is the first time a skipper with diabetes
has been able to compete and we are proud of John for overcoming his
personal health issues to take part in this ultimate sporting challenge.
This is a fine example of the personal sacrifice and determination required
to sail around the world alone.'

For Dennis, sailing around the world alone has been a lifelong dream, based
on a promise he made to his father in 1958. When he asked Bayer to sponsor
his entry, the company was so moved by his determination that it created The
Ascensia Dream Fund, 'Your Life. Your Dream.' an annual fund to help other
people with diabetes achieve their dreams.

'John has spent his whole life preparing for this race,' comments Nancy
Dean, vice president of worldwide marketing Self-Test Business, Bayer
Diagnostics. 'Bayer is excited to give John the opportunity to achieve his
lifelong dream.'

Dennis first met with representatives of Bayer Diagnostics on May 31st ,
which left him less than two months to complete purchase of the boat and
re-fit it for the grueling race. On July 26th he completed the dramatic
rollover test where the boat was turned upside down in the water with Dennis
inside to demonstrate he could 'right' the boat should it capsize. In
mid-August he completed a 2,150 nautical mile qualifying sail from Newport,
R.I. to the Azores in just 12 days, demonstrating his ability to sail across
the Atlantic and long-distances alone.

'Your Life. Your Dream.'
The Ascensia Dream Fund has been established to provide support and
recognition to people with diabetes who want to excel. It began with John
Dennis approaching Bayer to request sponsorship in the Around Alone race,
and the satisfaction of helping John inspired Ascensia to create a fund to
help other people with diabetes achieve a dream. The Ascensia Dream Fund
will accept applications from people in participating countries for whom
self-monitoring is the cornerstone of their diabetes management. Initially
the Fund will be open to residents of the United States. To receive an
application interested people should send a postcard to 'Your Life. Your
Dream.' -The Ascensia Dream Fund at 302A West 12th Street, #227, New York,
NY 10014.

Ascensia™
Ascensia means to 'ascend and achieve.' The complete range of Ascensia
diabetes products and services will be designed to help patients do just
that -- rise above their disease to experience life's many possibilities.
This unique approach is called 'Your Life. Your Way.' This approach
reflects Bayer Diagnostic's dedication to the principle that Ascensia
products and services will help people define their lives in terms of their
goals and achievements -- not their diabetes.