VeloNews: An open letter to Missouri state representative Allen Icet in support of the Tour of Missouri

Phil Southerland, Founder & CEO of Team Type I, wrote a letter in support of the Tour of Missouri that was published in VeloNews:

Support the Tour of Missouri

An open letter to Missouri state representative Allen Icet

Dear Representative Icet,
The purpose of my note is express my professional cycling program’s support of one of the greatest bike races in the United States: the Tour of Missouri.

The mission of Team Type 1 is to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes.

We believe that with appropriate diet, treatment, and technology, anyone with diabetes can achieve their dreams. We are living proof of this mission as 52 of our 66 competitive athletes have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. As a participant in the Tour of Missouri in 2009, Team Type 1 was able to reach the 325,000 citizens of Missouri who have been diagnosed with diabetes. As you know, the Tour of Missouri was also beneficial to your state, bringing in $38.1 million in economic development from a $1.5 million investment by the state of Missouri. For each of us, the Tour of Missouri is a “win-win.”

With the state of Missouri leading the national percentage of adults who have been told by a doctor that they have diabetes, 9.1% to 8.2%, respectively, the partnership of the Tour of Missouri and Team Type 1 can encourage Missourians to make a positive change in their health and lives.

Our belief is the bike is a tool for healthy living and diabetes management. And the Tour of Missouri is a powerful way to promote this message among Missourians and the rest of the United States.

I sincerely urge you to support the funding of the Tour of Missouri for 2010.
Sincerely yours,
Phil Southerland
Founder and CEO, Team Type 1
Atlanta, Georgia