Kris Freeman, a 15-time U.S. cross country skiing champion and three-time Olympian, will participate in the third annual Ride Aroostook cycling event on Aug. 10 and 11, based at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Freeman will join other team members from the Maine Winter Sports Center in the two-day cycling event showcasing the beauty of Aroostook County and raising funds for Camp Adventure, a summer camp for children with type 1 diabetes ages 12 through 17. The camp is directed by Cary Medical Center.
Freeman, who won his 16th national championship last winter, has twice been fourth at the International Ski Federation, of FIS, World Championships, and he was first in the 30 KM at FIS U23 World Championships in 2003.
The Olympian has type 1 diabetes and often speaks to children who have the disease about how they can achieve their life’s goals by managing their diabetes effectively. Freeman pointed out that having type 1 diabetes can be a challenge, particularly for young athletes, as they learn to work with their bodies in endurance activities such as skiing, biking, mountaineering and the like.
“I think that Camp Adventure is a wonderful opportunity for children to learn to live with their diabetes and that they can do anything any other child can do as long as they learn how to manage their insulin and blood sugars,” said Freeman. “I am pleased to have the chance to participate in Ride Aroostook to help the cause.”
In addition to being part of the event, Freeman will also have the opportunity to address the cyclists, families and volunteers at the Saturday evening dinner provided to the Ride participants and their families.
Bill Flagg, director of community relations and development at Cary Medical Center, said that Freeman will bring a very important message to the group about the value of this fund-raising event.
“Camp Adventure is very unique activity,” said Flagg, who has been part of the coordinating team for the Ride Aroostook event since the beginning in 2011. “Just visiting the camp during the session is a very moving experience as you watch these children engaged in activity that they may have thought would not be possible for them because of their disease. The camp is growing and so are the costs. Ride Aroostook will ultimately become a great source of support for the camp and we very much appreciate Kris Freeman for getting involved and sharing his experiences with the cyclists, their families and volunteers.”
It is not too late to sign up for Ride Aroostook. Registration materials can be found at the event website, RideAroostook.org.
Cary is still seeking volunteers to help manage the 150-mile two-day ride through Central Aroostook. Anyone wishing more information should contact Flagg at 498-1176.
