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Chris Jarvis - world champion Canadian rower

Chris Jarvis Biography

Claim to Fame: world champion Canadian rower
DOB: 1980 
Diabetes Type: 1

Chris Jarvis, of Grimsby, Ontario, Canada, is a member of the 2004 Canadian Olympic Rowing Team, marathon runner, and advocate for exercise and human rights. His athletic achievements include winning the silver medal in Canadian Under-23 National Team, several gold medals at Henley (Canadian) and U.S. nationals, and double gold medals in his final year of high school. He has won three senior gold medals – one at Wedau Regatta, an international regatta in Germany, and the other two at world cup events. He hopes to add a win at the World Championships and the Olympic games in Beijing.

Chris’ patent (in development) for a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System was inspired by his last 11 years living with type 1 diabetes. Through NU, he is developing an exercise program for children with physical disabilities. Chris, along with two partners, has a website - http://www.insulindependence.org/ - through which he advocates exercise and active management of diabetes, in addition to mentoring others.

Chris graduated from Northeastern University in Boston in 2006, with a Bachelor's degree in science. He continues to train for Olympic gold!

Chris’ message to the dLife community: My dLife has given me a great appreciation for what the body and mind are capable of. I have experienced winning two world cup regattas; feeling as though I was invincible! Yet, in the same day, in the same hour, an attack of hypoglycemia can reduce me to a helpless babe; desperate for help in attaining sugar. While scary, this contrast allows me to make the most of my good health and inspires me to take an active approach to my treatments in hopes of enjoying more freedom!