Bayer Dream Fund winner makes triumphant return to Salt Lake City completing cross country bike tour and achieving his dream

Friday - October 20, 2006 - Leverkusen – Peter Hoogenboom, a 46 year-old athlete with diabetes and winner of the Bayer Dream Fund™ contest was cycling into Salt Lake City, Utah on Thursday, October 19, 2006 having achieved his dream of a 10,000 mile bike tour across the U.S. Peter was the winner of the 2005 Bayer Dream Fund Contest that recognizes the achievements of people with diabetes. Thanks to the Bayer Dream Fund, Peter, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 14, was able to fulfill his dream and cycled across the continental United States to tell his story and serve as a role model for overcoming the challenges of diabetes.

Peter started his “Dream Tour” from Salt Lake City on March 18 and has cycled across the country over an estimated 155 days of riding time over eight months. Peter’s tour route was chosen to take him to all 48 states in the contiguous United States.

“Taking on an athletic challenge of this magnitude shouldn’t be the exception for people with diabetes,” said Peter. “During my journey, I conveyed to as many people as possible that with proper self-management, you can do almost anything.”

Throughout the tour, Peter kept a daily web log and share photos, video, and text recording the challenges of diabetes during strenuous activity. To view the web log and see the route map, and learn more about the Bayer Dream Fund contest, log on to www.BayerDreamFund.com

Training, along with proper diabetes management, has allowed Peter to complete the rigorous cycling tour. “As a young adult, I tried to fight my diabetes but soon realized this wasn’t working,” he noted. “So I learned to live well, dedicating myself to regular exercise and frequent self-monitoring. Over time, this strategy has become part of my life and my personality.”

Previously, Peter completed multiple cycling challenges, including a solo, self-directed, 2,300-mile tour from Salt Lake City to Minneapolis in 45 days in 1988. In order to dedicate his time to the “Dream Tour”, he took a leave-of-absence from his job. In addition, Peter’s wife Pat joined him on the tour in a support vehicle.

“Peter’s dedication to keeping his diabetes under control through diligent self-management, while maintaining an active lifestyle is truly inspirational,” said Nancy Katz, Head of Sales and Marketing, North America Region, Bayer HealthCare, Diabetes Care Division. “Bayer is proud to sponsor him as the 2005 winner of the Bayer Dream Fund contest.”

The Dream Fund is sponsored by Bayer HealthCare Diabetes Care Division, maker of a wide range of blood glucose monitors used by persons with diabetes to manage their disease.


Bayer HealthCare

Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the health care and medical products industry based in Leverkusen/Germany. In 2005, the Bayer HealthCare subgroup generated sales amounting to some 9.4 billion Euro. Bayer HealthCare employed 33.800 people worldwide in 2005.

The company combines the global activities of the divisions Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, Diagnostics and Pharmaceuticals. Since January 1, 2006 the new Pharmaceutical Division consists of the former Biological Products and Pharmaceutical Division and now comprises three business units: Hematology/Cardiology, Oncology and Primary Care.

Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. The products enhance well-being and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases.

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Contact Information

Dr. Gisela Lenz

Diagnostics/Diabetes Care

Bayer HealthCare AG

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