JOHN DENNIS BECOMES FIRST SKIPPER WITH DIABETES TO START
IN HISTORIC ROUND-THE-WORLD SOLO SAILING RACE

Dennis Faces Physical and Mental Challenges to Manage Boat and his Diabetes

Newport, R.I. SEPTEMBER 16, 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.

Bayer Diagnostics
With approximately 7,000 employees worldwide and 2001 sales of $1.8 billion, Bayer Diagnostics (www.bayerdiag.com), based in Tarrytown, New York, USA, is one of the largest diagnostic businesses in the world. The organization supports customers in 100 countries through an extensive portfolio of central laboratory, self-testing, nucleic acid and near patient care diagnostics systems and services for use in the assessment and management of health, including the areas of cardiovascular and kidney disease, oncology, virology, women's health and diabetes. Bayer Diagnostics is a part of the worldwide Bayer Group, a $29 billion international health care and chemicals group based in Leverkusen, Germany. Bayer Diagnostics' global headquarters in the United States operates as part of Bayer Corporation of Pittsburgh, a research-based company with major businesses in health care, life sciences and chemicals.

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