Bikes, riders, volunteers, and supporters scattered the grounds of Texas Motor Speedway this Saturday at the 2012 Tour de Cure DFW, organized by the American Diabetes Association.  With one common goal, stopping diabetes, folks from all around the state pedaled their way through the course to raise both funds and awareness.

As the morning turned into midday, the temperature rose with the enthusiasm, and we at Kewl took it upon ourselves to provide a break from the heat in any way we could. We watched countless riders take refuge under the Kewl Mister, shortly after setting it up (it’s amazing how refreshing a few small drops of water can be after you’ve ridden 60+ miles!) More importantly, we had a few of the newly-developed ClimaPaks on hand for the event.  This gave us a chance to prove up our insulin cooling awesomeness in the midst of a sweltering summer day.  Our team got to kick it with Red Riders (those riding in the Tour with diabetes), and diabetes supporters alike, talking about the obstacles that diabetes throws out when it comes to things like cycling and family trips.

Special shout out to Ed and Kara (Go Red Rider!) of Team ClimaPak, who rode the 32-mile course under the ClimaPak banner and raised over $1400 to help stop diabetes! 

It’s projected to be 104° degrees at Texas Motor Speedway, the site of the DFW Tour de Cure, this Saturday. Not quite a scorcher by Texas standards, but with the big crowds and stretches of hot pavement everyone’s bound to get a bit sweaty at the event, especially the riders. While most of our team will be spending the day in the shelter of the ClimaPak™ booth (equipped with a mister, mini-fans, and other Kewl stuff to help fight the heat) two individuals will be squaring off with the sun, the roadway, a sea of other cyclists, and oh yeah… Type 1 Diabetes.

Kara and Ed are a married couple who make up Team ClimaPak, a cycling team organized for the Tour de Cure. Kara has Type 1 Diabetes and uses an insulin pump; Ed is her loyal husband, ready to jump in and assist Kara at a moment’s notice.

“Stay out of the way until requested, then help with the situation at hand so that everyone can get back on course.”, said Ed, who readily admits that his even increasing knowledge of diabetes only goes so far when it comes to helping his wife.

“Though I see and deal with diabetes on a daily basis, I can truly never understand what it is to be a diabetic. However I can support Kara in her endeavor to not let diabetes run her life. Like many a spouse or even parent in my position we are used to “the juice box race” at a moment’s notice, any time of day… or night! We learn about things like basal rates and A1C’s, not because we have to, but because we want to. I try to encourage her to expand and push herself in her athletic pursuits whether that be soccer, cycling or beating me at racquet ball!”

Earlier this summer Kara spent a life changing week at Diabetes Training Camp, where she worked with expert trainers to improve her fitness and lifestyle management plan.

“Returning home after that poignant week; the next decision was to sign up for a ride or race so that I could set my next goal and keep the motivation going. After a brief internet search of Dallas bike races, Tour de Cure came up and instantly I knew it would be the ride for me. Diabetes not only affects me, but my family – virtually every branch on my family tree! I sent Ed the link and our decision was made rather quickly.”, said Kara.

“Being part of Team ClimaPak not only gives me the opportunity to ride with a team that understands my hurdles, but also encourages and pushes me to achieve my goals.”, she continued.

Kara emphasized the importance of goal setting in her fitness and lifestyle management plans. The Tour de Cure gives her a chance to combat diabetes, the condition that her and her family are all too familiar with, while pursuing a fitness goal that can be celebrated with others. For Kara and Team ClimaPak to have success there must be more goals, more events, and more rides to keep the momentum going.

When asked about the future of Team ClimaPak, Ed replied, “The Tour de Cure is an event focused around recognizing those that live with diabetes, but there are many diabetics that embrace active lifestyles, fitness and competition with minimal recognition. I would love to see Team ClimaPak support those with diabetes that have or want to embrace active lifestyles, cycling or otherwise.”

There are a number of diabetes cycling teams out there including Team Type 1, and Team Red. As a newcomer to the diabetes cycling scene, Team ClimaPak hopes to add to the momentum that these teams have created. Our goals include raising awareness about diabetes, inspiring the people who live with it, and equipping them with tools and technology to make the lifestyles they desire more attainable.

When asked about how ClimaPak would fit into her diabetes management plan at an event like the Tour de Cure, Kara responded, “I have had the not so wonderful experience of my insulin overheating after the day outside in the hot Texas summer sun and being without any spare supplies nearby. I typically carry extra supplies with me, especially if I am participating in outdoor/water events and farther than 30 minutes from home. ClimaPak is an excellent resource to keep my insulin vials at the correct temperature. If I am prepared than I can focus on the ride and not the ‘what ifs’.”

With the forecast showing 104° heat, and 62 miles of pavement ahead, keeping tabs on Insulin can be a tough job. Stop by the ClimaPak booth to cool down, and learn about the cutting edge technology that will keep your insulin cool too!

This Summer, relax and stay kewl with ClimaPak and Kindle – the ultimate travel companions! No worries or lugging around bulky books or ice packs when traveling. What’s even better? You can charge your Kindle using the ClimaPak micro USB power adapter and car charger.

This Friday, as part of our Keepin’ it Kewl Summer Sweepstakes, we’re giving away a Kindle e-Reader!

As a bonus, we’re also including “The Sweet Life: Diabetes Without Boundaries” by Sam Talbot

Sam Talbot is a professional chef, Top Chef runner-up, restaurateur, surfer, painter, philanthropist, and, since the age of 12, type 1 diabetic. Yet he has not let the disease stop him from living a rich life packed with energy, adventure, and achievement—culinary and otherwise. In his book, he recounts how diabetes has affected but not compromised his life or career, and shares his tips—alongside those from other famous diabetics like Halle Berry, Larry King, and Tommy Lee—on how to handle everything from work and hobbies to relationships and travel with discipline and enthusiasm.

To round out this advice, he offers bits of foodie wisdom and 75 innovative recipes for fresh, all-natural dishes anybody, diabetic or not, can prepare and enjoy. Heartfelt, entertaining, and backed by real-life experience and solid medical expertise, The Sweet Life will give readers hope, inspiration, and the proof they need to realize that life with diabetes isn’t about diabetes: It’s about living.

If you haven’t already, make sure you Enter to Win!

Christy recently came on board to the Kewl Team as a Marketing Intern. She is currently a student at Southern Methodist University and gearing up for her senior year this coming Fall. She is presently finishing up her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing at the Cox School of Business. She is incredibly excited to be given the opportunity to be a part of the exciting ClimaPak launch this August. Christy joined Kewl Innovations with the intent of chipping in on just about every aspect of marketing. From helping coordinate events to preparing press kits, to community outreach… just to name a few. As a summer intern here at Kewl, she hopes to help build ClimaPak story as the tool hits the open market for the first time.

Some of her passions include philanthropy, traveling, scrap-booking, and working with children. Throughout college, Christy has been working at an elementary after-school program. We believe this experience will be tremendously valuable in our efforts to engage children with diabetes and their parents.

She is also a huge TOMS Shoes advocate. It seems like she comes into the office in a different pair every day! Her excitement for TOMS developed after writing a paper about the Chief Shoe Giver, Blake Mycoskie her freshman year in college. Since then she has admired  the TOMS story as well as its “one-for-one” business model. Christy hopes to bring a similar passion and impact to Kewl Innovations as she helps introduce a new solution for diabetes management.

The one thing the Kewl team has in common is a love for travel. CEO Tom Borger has been to every continent except Antartica, Director of Sales & Marketing Crystal McFerran pretty much lives for her next international vacation and Community Engagement Specialist Shayne O’Sullivan ended up in Dallas after meeting the love of his life during a semester abroad. Not to mention the fact that Kewl intern Madeline is currently scuba-diving off the coast of Bali.

All of us agree that these days, no getaway is complete without digital accessories. Having the right gadget can completely transform a trip, allowing you to capture and instantly share memories, connect with friends and family and access endless avenues of entertainment in even the most remote locations.

We have no doubt that ClimaPak will be the ultimate high-tech travel “gadget” for people with diabetes. In order to celebrate our product launch, we wanted to put together a fun Summer promotion, so our Keepin’ it Kewl Sweepstakes was born. It was a no-brainer to select must-have travel gadgets as giveaways. We selected prizes that, like ClimaPak, are portable, rechargeable and/or just all-out kewl travel companions. (Yes, we throw ‘kewl’ out a lot around here.)

The first prize, being given away THIS FRIDAY, is a Kodak Mini Video Camera. When I say mini, I mean mini…it’s literally the size of a credit card. Not only that, but it’s waterproof. Take it to the beach, the pool, kayaking, out on the boat, then drop it in your pocket or your smallest clutch for a night out. It’s all about convenience and this is definitely convenient enough to take anywhere and capture any of life’s moments. Its rechargeable Li-Polymer battery and pop-out USB arm makes it easy to share these moments with your friends and family on Facebook and YouTube. Who couldn’t use this?

If you haven’t already, make sure you Enter to Win!

Independence Day is a day for every American to revel in the freedom that citizenship in this great nation grants.  Whether you’re hanging out pool-side devouring hot dogs, or sitting under roaring fireworks in a crowded field with picnic blankets and families spackling every square inch, the whole point of these activities is to celebrate the fact that on July 4^th, 1776 a gaggle of adventurers on Columbus’s continent made a most noble and dangerous commitment to individual liberty.  While some historians squabble over the actual date that the Declaration of Independence was signed, the ‘Fourth of July’ has been America’s accepted Date of Birth since the document was created 236 years ago.

Despite all the ‘Star Spangled Glamour’, in the eyes of diabetes, the Fourth is just another day.  Carbs to count, blood to test, injections to take, and so on.  The diabetes party doesn’t hold, not even for something as mighty as America.  Instead, diabetes invites it-self to all the festivities and demands ones attention, no matter how loud you blast Yankee Doodle or how bright the glare from the fireworks may be.

On the Eve of America’s Birthday we’d like to pose a few simple questions….

How prepared are you to manage diabetes during tomorrow’s action –packed holiday?

What are you doing to ensure you maintain your diabetic liberty?

Having diabetes doesn’t make you a slave to it.  You are free.  Declare your freedom over diabetes, just like the Founding Fathers did, and take every step you can to keep diabetes from inhibiting undeniable right to personal liberty!

So from all of us at the Kewl Team, Happy 4^th of July! & remember to use the offer code “JULY412” to receive 10% your ClimaPak or ClimaPak bundle, a great way to declare your freedom to diabetes on this Independence day.