Professional Cyclist Visits Children's Center for Endocrinology

Professional Cyclist Visits Florida Children's Center for Endocrinology at Florida Hospital

Joe Eldridge shares experiences to inspire children with diabetes

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 18, 2008 - Professional cyclist, Joe Eldridge, is taking a break from his Tour de France training to visit young patients at the Florida Children's Center for Endocrinology at Florida Hospital. This afternoon, Eldridge hopped off his bike to talk with children who have the same condition he was diagnosed with at age 10, Type 1 diabetes.

Although living with diabetes is often challenging, Eldridge became deeply involved with sports, never allowing his disease to prevent him from reaching his goals. At this special event he shared his motivational story, competitive cycling experiences and mentality that dreams really can come true.

Joe Eldridge, 26, was born in Birmingham, Ala., and now resides in Atlanta. He began competitive cycling at Auburn University, and later formed "Team Type 1" with a fellow collegiate cyclist, Phil Southerland. This semi-professional squad is made up solely of racers with Type 1 diabetes, and soon after it was formed, the group won two corporate team division titles in the 2006 Race Across America (RAAM). Eldridge now hopes to achieve the same success in his professional cycling career, and he is training to compete in the Tour de France.

For more information, contact Florida Hospital Media Relations at 407-303-8217.

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