James O’Reilly, Diabetes Ireland supporter,  has joined a team of riders on a grueling cycling challenge from Brussels to Geneva.  

James is taking part in the MHealth Grand Tour which is a grueling 1,500km cycle that will take participants across three European countries. The aim of the tour is to raise awareness about diabetes, while providing an ideal opportunity to test and further develop mobile health solutions (mHealth) which aims at improving the day-to-day life for people living with diabetes.

James, an avid member of the Marble City Cyclers, says “I see my participation in the 2015 mHealth Grand Tour as a great opportunity for me to assist in the development of technical solutions that have the possibility to improve the quality of life of those living with chronic diseases worldwide. As a Type 1 Diabetic, I myself am hugely reliant on technology to manage my condition”.

Throughout the tour James will be using wearables and other technological advancements to monitor and manage his health. Over the 9 days James’s progress will be monitored by medical professionals and data will be gathered and analysed with results being shared in late 2015.

As well as raising awareness for diabetes, James is hoping to raise some much needed funds for Diabetes Ireland. Diabetes Ireland are the only Irish charity dedicated to supporting those in Ireland living with diabetes. If you would like to support James you can donate to http://www.mycharity.ie/event/jamesoreillymhealthgrandtour2015/. For updates on James’s progress throughout the tour you can follow him on twitter. 

James’s place on the tour was sponsored by ICON Plc. ICON is a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries.