For Immediate Release: June 5, 2008
Contacts: John Wolfe, 401-615-1710 | Amy Quinn, 401-615-1185

Team Type 1 to Participate in Cox Charities Cycling Classic, Saturday, June 28
Team Combines Competition with Type 1 Diabetes Awareness

West Warwick, RI – Cox Communications today announced that Team Type 1, which is committed to spreading awareness of Type 1 diabetes, will compete in the seventh annual Cox Charities Cycling Classic on Saturday, June 28, 2008. Team Type 1 shares the inspirational message that athletes with diabetes can compete at the highest levels, while raising visibility to find a cure and encourage healthy living.

Founded in 2004, Team Type 1 is the fulfilled dream of Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge, two young men with Type 1 diabetes. Southerland, who was diagnosed at 7 months old, and Eldridge, who was diagnosed at 10 years old, refused to let their disease hold them back. Southerland and Eldridge both excelled as natural athletes, participating in a variety of team sports before finding their passion for cycling. They met at a college cycling meet, and found themselves competing not only in cycling but with each other about the best blood sugar control.

Team Type 1 is just one of many prestigious teams participating in the seventh annual Cox Charities Cycling Classic, which makes its debut on USA Cycling’s National Racing Calendar this year. The event will attract nearly 400 of the top cyclists in the world – including world champions, former Olympians and national champions from several countries – as well as thousands of spectators.

In addition to Southerland and Eldridge, the team is comprised of a number of other internationally recognized professional cyclists, including many with Type 1 diabetes. The team holds dozens of wins, including 2007’s grueling cross-country Race Across America (RAAM).
Members of Team Type 1 participating in the Cox Charities Cycling Classic include Eldridge (Atlanta, GA), Chris Jones (New Haven, CT), Jesse Anthony (Beverly, MA), Emile Abraham (Atlanta, GA), Sean Milne (Beverly, MA), and Dan Holt (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates).

Proceeds from the Cox Charities Cycling Classic will benefit Cox Charities New England, which provides grants to non-profit organizations that support children and education. Since the program’s inception in 2001, Cox Communications has provided more than $2.4 million in Cox Charities grants and in-kind support to local non-profits that support children and education.

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