north shore news HEALTH N. Van diabetic will cycle across Canada Anna Marie D’Angelo News Reporter dangelo@nsnews.com MIKE Salzer has never let diabetes stop him. The athletic == North Vancouver resident was diag- nosed with the disease when he was 10. Since then, he has had to rake insulin injections four times a day. Part of the reason the 26- year-old Salzer has a positive attitude about diabetes today has to do with going to sum- mer camp in northern Ontario when he was a child. Children attending Camp Huronda near Huntsville learned to manage diabetes and enjoy life. Salzer later worked at the camp as a coun- sellor. “I think a lot of who [am today, in part, is a result of my experiences at the camp,” said Salzer. On June 25, the Ingleside, Ontario native begins a 77- day bike ride from Toronto to North Vancouver to raise money tor diabetic children summer camps across Canada. Bike proceeds will also go to diabetes research. “Bike With Mike: The Ride for Diabetes” is a 5,000 kilometre trek. Salzer is cur- rently training so that he can do 100 km a day, a distance approximately from North Vancouver to Chilliwack. NEWS photo Mike Wakefield NORTH Van’s Mike Salzer is currently training for a cross country bike ride to raise money for diabetes summer camps for kids. “Bike With Mike” starts June 25 in Toronto and ends Sept. 10 in North Van. outside round “a Ib 437 kg Shrirpmeat $07 Ib 178 kg /Sunrype |\Asst yP Juice _ 3/250. mi Michelina’s Asst. Pasta frozen 2419-284g Campbells Soup tomato.. 12 pack $8 1 6 veg, chicken 36 neodie, or cream © of mushroom 12 pack Pree eee “I wanted to prove to myself and other people dia- betes doesn’t have to slow you down,” said Salzer. Bike With Mike fulfills Salzer’s Btelong dream to evele across the country. Salzer is an avid cyelis enjoys “all sports” including soccer, basketball as well as running and jogging. Salzer calls) diabetes a “minor inconvenience” because he has to watch what he cats, take injections and test his blood for glucose. Salzer said a diabetic young person has the usual growing up difficulties such as peer pressure, but also needs extra support and a boost to self confidence to manage the disease. Summer camps help provide that extra support for diabetic kids and young peo- ple Salzer has raised $20,000 for his trek so far through cor- CORRECTION NOTICE In our B4-3 Spring into SUM- MER at the Bay FLYER, on Page 25, the small heart Crystal Clear Frame will be Jate for ad. Rainchecks will be Som for any inconvenience is may have caused. Organic Hot House Tomatoes 99) ib Organic Broccoli or Cauliflower Organic Bunch S69 Sait Spring Island Goat Cheese Asst. + Garlic or Sunday, May 23, 1999 — North Shore News - #9 porate sponsorship. His wildest hope is that $100,000 could be raised. “The way I looked at it is that anything we raised is more than the $100 J started out with,” said Salzer. Bike With Mike started about 18 months ago. Salzer figured he'd raise $100 from fends and drop it off ata local Canadian — Diabetes Association when he finished the trek. Salzer is a sales rep for Bosch Power Tools. He approached his boss for a leave of absence for the bike ride, He’said the leave was to“tulfill a personal dream.” Salzer was overwhelmed by his employes’s support. Bosch is now a sponsor of Bike With Mike. More corpo- rate sponsors followed. “Once all the sponsors got involved, it just snowballed. 1 never imaged it could have gotten so big,” said Salzer Dr. Bruce Bessie is Salzer said thar 17 barbe- cue fundraisers are planned along the route. The North Vancouver barbecue tundrais- er is slated for Sept. 10 at the Revy store. Anyone wishing to contribute to Bike With Mike, can contact 1-800- Banting or drop off a dona- tion at a local branch of the Canadian Diabetes Association, A Web page at will start up near the end of June which will included images from a digital camera attached to a Bike With Mike support vehi- cle. According to the Canadian Diabetes Association 1.5 mil- lion Canadians have diabetes and another 750,000 have diabetes that has yer to be diagnosed. Bike With Mike is endorsed by the Canadian Diabetes Association and has six Corporate sponsors. pleased to announce... Dr. Heather Stewart is joining his dental practice . as of May 34, 1999. " The Seawail Déatal Group will now have extended hours. : Monday through Friday, :;* : and some Saturdays. . New petients & referrals are welcome. 111-2419 Bellevue Ave., West Vancouver, 926-2221 Boca Burgers - Max’s Favourite $—229 ea Originat 907 ml Barbara’s Organic Fig Bars whole wheat $4399 peat free = 0's Cheddar Puffs Simply Natural Organic Pasta. ‘| Organic Rice short or long $32