Local Business Enterasys Networks Joins Together To Help Stop Diabetes At The Annual North Shore Tour de Cure

SALEM, N.H., May 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Enterasys Networks, a Siemens Enterprise Communications Company based in Salem, NH, will be supporting The American Diabetes Association's movement to Stop Diabetes® by having a team ride in the annual Tour de Cure^®. The cycling event is happening on Sunday, May 19, 2013 at the Topsfield Fairgrounds in Topsfield, MA to help raise funds to change the future of diabetes and help stop this devastating disease.

The team started because of Joel Parker. He's been riding in the North Shore Tour de Cure since 2008, but until this year it's been only him and a few friends and family members. "Last year I asked if I could send an email out to the company about my ride to help get the word out," says Parker. "I was told to come back before the 2013 Tour de Cure because there were a lot of resources at Enterasys and we could do more together to help." This is when Team Enterasys really began.

Parker grew up around diabetes. "I remember watching my aunt Diane, who had type 1 diabetes, pricking her finger and letting me help test her blood against color coded stripes when I was a child," recalls Parker. "My younger brother, Tony, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when he was ten years old. I remember thinking how unfair it was that a child so young had all these new responsibilities. If I can do anything to help find a cure for diabetes I'll do it. If riding a bike can help then I'll do it rain or shine."

The person Parker went to for help getting the word out was Christine Mousseau, an executive assistant and Charity Committee Chair at Enterasys. She helped organize several fundraising events as well as email blasts to the whole company. Diabetes hits home for Mousseau as well. "On my mother's side, her paternal grandmother died from diabetes. My grandmother had diabetes and all of her five siblings died from diabetes, except one," Mousseau states. "My mother is a diabetic, as is one of her brothers." On Mousseau's father's side, both her dad and aunt are borderline insulin diabetics. "They both control their diabetes via diet."

In addition, Mousseau's middle and older sisters are both affected. "My middle sister had gestational diabetes during her pregnancy and is still a high candidate for type 2," says Mousseau. "My oldest sister has hypoglycemia. She has passed out in the past due to her blood sugar being so low. She now carries chocolate in her purse and keeps orange juice at her office and in her home."

"As you can see, diabetes surrounds me," Mousseau says. "I would love to see a cure for it, but until then, I'm happy that there is medicine to help control this disease. I'm excited that the Tour de Cure aids in the research to help fuel the cure!"

Another rider with Team Enterasys is Brittany Silveria. Having diabetes in her family is one of the reasons she joined the team even before owning a bike. "The disease has affected the maternal side of my family for a couple generations," says Silveria. "Growing up, I always knew my grandfather had the disease, but it wasn't completely apparent as to the severity, at least not visually. I would always hear my mom asking him over the phone about his levels and if he's checked them. Then on his visits, my mom was always altering our dinner menu for the week to make sure we were keeping him on track. However, he didn't appear sick so it was hard to understand why it was such a big deal."

As Silveria's grandfather has gotten older, his diabetes has gotten worse. "His feet go numb and he has fallen several times, landing him in the hospital. He's also been in and out of the hospital for various health issues, that are always more serious and life threatening due to his diabetes," says Silveria. "I've come to think of diabetes as the elephant in the room. It's always on our minds because we need to be proactive to try and prevent ourselves from getting it. It's good to talk about it, and the Tour de Cure has forced that. I'm so excited to have such an amazing group of co-workers from Enterasys riding." Silveria's father will also be riding with her on May 19^th.

Parker has been impressed with the show of support from his colleagues. "People from all departments are signing up to ride. A couple of people didn't even own bikes but wanted to help Team Enterasys find a cure for diabetes," says Parker. "It's an incredible and humbling feeling knowing how willing people are to help if you just ask. It's also incredible to hear people come up to me and talk about how diabetes has affected them and how they want to help." Having a company team in the Tour de Cure has allowed Parker to get to know his colleagues on a deeper level.

Tour de Cure is designed for anyone from the occasional to the experienced cyclist with routes from the 15-mile family ride to 100-mile Gran Fondo, a century ride. The routes all feature rest stops with food to fuel the journey and volunteers to cheer riders on.

The Tour de Cure raises funds for the 26 million Americans living with diabetes through registration fees and pledges collected by the cyclists. To register, cyclists or volunteers can call the American Diabetes Association at 617-482-4580 ext. 3487 or visit us at www.diabetes.org/nsmedia. 

The North Shore Tour de Cure is sponsored nationally by Gold's Gym, Lilly Diabetes, and Bumble Bee Foods; Locally by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Summit Partners, Boston Scientific Corporation, Northshore Magazine, Mix 104.1, Amp 103.3, and WBZ News Radio; and Regionally by Subaru of New England.  Each Tour de Cure features a variety of routes.  The North Shore Tour de Cure routes include:

100 Mile Gran Fondo- This is an epic route including two timed segments for fantastic prizes, challenging climbs and a variety of terrain in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and on Cape Ann.
62 Mile Route- This challenging route travels through the beautiful North Shore and includes scenic countryside and local communities.
31 Mile Route- Riding this route, you will see picturesque Cape Ann landscapes with beautiful views and roads.
15 Mile Route- Great for avid and newer cyclists alike, this route will travel through charming North Shore countryside.

Resources

• Video: Enterasys meets with American Diabetes Association to discuss Tour de Cure

About Enterasys Networks and Siemens Enterprise Communications
Siemens Enterprise Communications is a leading global provider of unified communications (UC) solutions and network infrastructure for enterprises of all sizes. Leveraging 160 years of experience, we deliver innovation and quality to the world's most successful companies, backed by a world-class services portfolio which includes international multi-vendor managed and outsourcing capabilities.

Our OpenScape communications solutions provide a seamless and efficient collaboration experience – on any device – which amplifies collective effort and dramatically improves business performance.

Together, our global team of UC experts and service professionals set the standards for a rich communications experience that empowers teams to deliver better results.

Siemens Enterprise Communications is a joint venture of The Gores Group and Siemens AG, and includes Enterasys Networks, a provider of network infrastructure and security solutions, creating a complementary and complete enterprise communications solutions portfolio.

For more information, please visit: www.siemens-enterprise.com or www.enterasys.com

Siemens Enterprise Communications GmbH & Co. KG is a Trademark Licensee of Siemens AG.

About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.  

For more information, please visit www.diabetes.org/nsmedia.

To schedule an interview with an employee of Enterasys or another North Shore Tour de Cure volunteer or rider, please contact Rachel Feinberg by phone at 617-482-4580 ext. 3441 or by email at [email protected].

STAFF CONTACT: Rachel Feinberg - 617-482-4580 ext. 3441 - [email protected]

SOURCE Enterasys Networks