Teens with diabetes tackle The Argus

Like any other teenager in many ways, Kelly Olivier (14) and Janneke Hofmeyer (15) have one particular difficulty to face. They both have diabetes.

Part of Team Roche Accu-Chek, the teens join over 20 adults with diabetes who'll be tackling the 110km Argus. This is the first time that Roche Accu-Chek has sponsored a team to do the Argus and their biggest to date, after previously sponsoring a number of teams in Joburg's Pick n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge.

The Argus is the first big cycling event for both Kelly and Janneke. A Grade 9 learner from the Hoer Tegnies Skool Drosty, Kelly was only diagnosed with diabetes in 2007. In South Africa, around 3.3-million people have diabetes, but as many as 1.3-million of them do not even realise their symptoms are caused by the disease. Fortunately for Kelly, his mother, who also has diabetes, recognised his symptoms. While he has had to make adjustments to his lifestyle, he's still as active as ever, playing tennis, rugby and golf, and surfing and cycling whenever he can.

Janneke, who is in Grade 10 at Gymnasium High School in Worcester, is just as crazy about sport, especially hockey, swimming and tennis. Diagnosed with diabetes when she was nine, she hasn't let the disease slow her down. She plays hockey for Boland, and tennis for North Boland, and was the top academic achiever in her class last year with a 92% average. Her parents' love of cycling has also rubbed off on her. She dedicates one day a week to this sport, and what with gym in the morning, and other sport the rest of the week, Janneke's is one fit teenager.

“When I was first diagnosed, I felt completely overwhelmed and did not comprehend the impact it would have on my life,” she says. “I also had to come to terms with the fact that my condition was here to stay.”

With supportive family, friends and teachers, and the help of medical professionals, both Janneke and Kelly are proof that when well-managed, diabetes need not stand in the way of a full, active lifestyle.

“My message to other kids with diabetes is to never give up,” says Janneke. “Change your attitude towards your condition and make the most of life under the circumstances. After all, you only get one life.”

For all Roche Accu-Chek enquiries contact:
Corine Müller
Product Manager Consumer Marketing
Diabetes and Primary Care, Roche Diagnostics Division
011 504 4600