OmniPod VIPs

Not only do our OmniPod VIPs use the OmniPod System to manage their diabetes and make living with diabetes easier – but they also have inspiring stories to tell. These motivating OmniPod advocates are available to make appearances at local events – whether it's a diabetes walk, camp or information session. Just contact your local OmniPod representative and they can make it happen.

 

Team Type 1

Race Across America Champion Cyclists

 

Team Type 1 co-founder Joe Eldridge has one clear goal: to prove that having type 1 diabetes doesn't inhibit him at all. In 2004, that desire sparked the founding of Team Type 1: a squad of fearless cyclists, many of whom wear the OmniPod. As Eldridge notes, "It makes it immensely easier to manage my diabetes." Team Type 1's mission is to prove that anyone can live well with diabetes. Many team members credit their success to the ease of the OmniPod and the control it ensures. Individually, Team Type 1 members pursue titles in bike races around the country. Together, the team takes on "the world's toughest bike race," the 3,005-mile Race Across America. For five consecutive years they have been finalists, winning their division three times, in 2007, 2009 and 2010. It seems that in testing their limits, Team Type 1—powered by OmniPod—has found they have none.

 

Jay Hewitt

Ironman Triathlete, Professional Motivational Speaker, Attorney and Diabetes Advocate

 

As a three-time member of the U.S. National Team for Long Course Triathlon, Jay Hewitt regularly competes in Ironman events. That makes the control he gets from a pump critical. His heavy sweating and constant swimming meant he needed a pump that would stay in place. Traditional pumps created obstacles for Jay so he switched to the OmniPod. The Pod stays securely on his body during his intense workouts and races. "I look at diabetes as my advantage rather than my disadvantage. But having the OmniPod now gives me one more weapon to prove that I'm in control of it. The OmniPod makes it so much easier to do even the most extreme things I want to do, like racing Ironman events all over the world."

 

Robyn Cox

Dolphin Trainer

 

As a child Robyn Cox had one dream: to train dolphins. And she saw no reason her diabetes should get in her way. But because Robyn's schedule is constantly in flux, balancing intense performance cycles of dolphin play, it's tough to keep control with shots. Conversely, she's in the water so much that she couldn't use a conventional pump. Then Robyn's doctor told her about OmniPod. "Suddenly this little bitty thing means I don't have to think about injections. I can vary my schedule. I can be in the water as long as I need to. It stays exactly where I put it and I don't worry about anything getting kinked or tangled. You can't even see it under my wetsuit," Robyn laughs, "and the wetsuits are pretty tight. OmniPod has made all the difference in the world."

 

Sean Busby

Professional Snowboarder and Founder of "Riding On Insulin"

 

Sean Busby is a professional snowboarder with type 1 diabetes. He travels the world competing and exploring remote corners of the globe on snowboarding expeditions. He's been on numerous expeditions to Antarctica, Patagonia, Argentina and Iceland. Sean loves that the OmniPod works great during these competitions and that it makes his daily life with diabetes so easy. "The OmniPod gives me the freedom to manage my diabetes in extreme conditions, as well as everyday life."

 

Sean is also the founder of "Riding On Insulin." This organization's mission is to provide international ski and snowboarding camps for kids with type 1 and type 2 diabetes with an emphasis on how to manage blood glucose levels where altitude, climate and humidity all play a role.

 

Cliff Scherb

Coach, Triathlete

 

Cliff Scherb, founder of TriStar Athletes™, competes regularly in Ironman triathlons. These grueling events push athletes to their limits of physical and mental endurance, and require an enormous training commitment. But for all of Cliff's hard work, erratic blood sugars kept him from achieving the faster times he knew were within his reach. That changed when the OmniPod gave him the more precise control he needed to stay strong for the duration of the race. Cliff qualified for Ironman Hawaii, which is considered by many to be the most prestigious triathlon in the world, shortly after he got his OmniPod. He had been training for many years at the top level of Ironman racing and had his second fastest Ironman time ever the first race he wore the OmniPod. "I attribute that to my OmniPod – it gave me the precision I need. The analogy I use is that with the OmniPod, it's like having a laser-guided insulin delivery system compared to a chainsaw. It's a complete shift in approach."

 

Kris Freeman

Cross-country Skier, 10-time National Champion

 

When cross-country skier Kris Freeman was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 19, he was told that his career was over. However, a combination of personal strength, perseverance and the right tools for diabetes management has helped Kris excel at one of the toughest endurance sports. He is a three-time Olympian, 10-time national champion, the number one cross-country skier in the U.S. and the second most successful American crposs-country skier of all time. Diabetes has not kept Kris from racking up titles, thanks in part to the OmniPod. "It's durable enough for the toughest conditions I face during competition. And off the slopes, it gives me freedom to live an active, healthy life, while maintaining great control of my diabetes." Being an Olympic athlete allows Kris to send an important message to everyone living with diabetes: You can do anything with this disease as long as you manage it properly.