To mark the beginning of Diabetes Week 2017, two Team Novo Nordisk riders and eight Novo Nordisk employees, have set off on a 700km, five day cycle through seven cities, to raise awareness for diabetes and the importance of maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

‘Pedal for 7’ aims to encourage people living with diabetes to achieve healthy blood sugar levels of 7%, in clinical terms, through good management of their disease. The ride began on 12th June in Leeds and will finish in Gatwick at the Novo Nordisk UK offices on Friday 16th June.

700 people are diagnosed with diabetes each day in the UK; equivalent to one person every two minutes. Along the route, the Pedal for 7 riders will visit some of the UK’s leading specialist diabetes centres, to meet people living with diabetes and their local healthcare teams.

These meetings will provide a rare opportunity for patients to hear inspirational stories from representatives of the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team. Many healthcare professionals and patients alike from the centers also plan to join the team and cycle alongside for part of the journey in support of the Pedal for 7 initiative.

"Many people who are diagnosed with diabetes believe they won’t be able to live the life they had hoped to" says former Team Novo Nordisk’s professional cyclist Aaron Perry, who is participating in the Pedal for 7 cycle. "By effectively managing my diabetes and controlling my blood sugar levels, I have been able to lead a full and active life, participating in competitive races all over the world. This week’s cycle, which brings together supporters affected by diabetes on our journey down the country, is proof that with effective diabetes management, anything is possible!"

Aaron Perry will also be joined by former pro cycling teammate, Justin Morris. "People always ask me how my diabetes affects my cycling", added Justin. "As long as I properly manage my diabetes and keep my blood sugar within an optimal range, I’m able to train as hard as I like and compete at an elite level. That’s why I’m taking part in the Pedal for 7 cycle - to inspire people with diabetes to maintain healthy blood sugar levels and achieve their goals."

Novo Nordisk is the principal sponsor of Team Novo Nordisk a global, all-diabetes sports team of cyclists, triathletes and runners. Team Novo Nordisk’s mission is to inspire, educate and empower people affected by diabetes, and its athletes have become role models for people with diabetes worldwide. Team Novo Nordisk is made up of nearly 100 endurance athletes with diabetes, including Aaron Perry and Justin Morris who ride for the Team Novo Nordisk development team.

As part of its commitment to raising awareness of diabetes and improving diabetes care, Novo Nordisk is sponsoring this event and will be taking part in the Pedal for 7 cycle through Leeds, Sheffield, Derby, Coventry, Leicester, Birmingham, Oxford through to Gatwick in order to promote optimal blood sugar levels.