CURE Childhood Cancer Announces 6th Annual “A Tribute to Our Quiet Heroes”

September 25 Luncheon Hosted by Chris Glavine to Support Pediatric Cancer Research

CURE Childhood Cancer announces its 6th Annual “A Tribute to Quiet Heroes” luncheon, to be held from 11a.m. to 2p.m. on September 25, 2010 at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead. The event, which honors mothers of children with cancer whose love and tireless dedication guide their families through an unimaginable journey, has raised more than $1 million for pediatric cancer research since its inception in 2005.

"The ‘Quiet Heroes’ luncheon is our way of honoring and providing a day of respite to the women who take care of their children with cancer so quietly and selflessly throughout the year. We love being able to treat these mothers to a special day out, all to benefit a cause we are passionate about,” said Kristin Connor, CURE’s Executive Director.

The event is hosted each year by Chris Glavine, wife of former Major League Baseball player Tom Glavine, who helped launch the inaugural event five years ago. Emmy-award winning news anchor Jill Becker of 11 Alive, herself the mother of a childhood cancer survivor, will emcee, and the featured speaker will be Nancy Keene, author and co-author of several books for families of children with cancer, including Childhood Leukemia and Childhood Cancer.

The event will also include a silent auction with items such as an autographed Justin Bieber guitar, an opportunity for one lucky Little League team to receive coaching from Tom Glavine at his home and play baseball on the infield in his Country Club of the South backyard, dinner with Chris and Tom Glavine, a Macbook Pro and 2011 Masters’ Tournament final round badges available for bidding. Tickets are $125 and can be purchased online at www.quietheroes.org.

Founded in 1975, Atlanta, Georgia-based CURE Childhood Cancer has raised millions of dollars for research and ongoing education of pediatric cancer and is focused on supporting childhood cancer experts, locally and nationally, who work daily to discover a cure for pediatric cancer. CURE Childhood Cancer currently funds two pediatric oncology Fellows at the Emory University School of Medicine. CURE Childhood Cancer also offers programs that address the critical/urgent needs of patients and their families. For more information go to www.curechildhoodcancer.org or contact Ms. Kristin Connor, Executive Director, at 770-986-0035.
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Celebrity Link to Type 1 Diabetes Further Connects the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Georgia Chapter and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Georgia

/PRNewswire/ -- For Laura Putnam and her children, this past Saturday night will be one to remember for a very long time. Thanks to the efforts of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA), a family from Columbus, GA had a brush with fame - an in-person meet-and-greet with the Jonas Brothers in Atlanta.

Putnam, a BCBSGA employee with two of her three children (Tommy, 11 and Lauren, 14) diagnosed and living with type 1 diabetes, was chosen as the on-site JDRF Ambassador family for BCBSGA's efforts supporting the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes at Centennial Olympic Park on Oct. 17. When JDRF heard about the family's love for the Jonas Brothers, they went to work, securing them four tickets and a special chance to meet their idol, Nick Jonas, who is an active spokesperson for JDRF as he too is diagnosed and living with type 1 diabetes.

"The JDRF organization and BCBSGA have been there for us during our family's most difficult moments," said Laura Putnam. "Being able to attend the Jonas Brothers concert and meet them in person was an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime gift for my children. Nick Jonas is so open about his diabetes and is such a role model for my kids - he encourages all children to be dedicated to their health, openly pursue their dreams and never let anything slow them down."

"JDRF is immensely appreciative of BCBSGA's continued participation," said Clanci Jordan, Executive Director. "This is corporate citizenship at its finest. BCBSGA's commitment enables us to accelerate research to find a cure for diabetes. Insulin is not a cure, merely life support for the estimated 3 million Americans suffering from type 1 diabetes and its complications. Research is the only answer."

More than 7,000 walkers representing local corporations, families, schools and other organizations are expected to participate in JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes in Atlanta, where there will be live music, Moon Bounces, and a variety of food and entertainment. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. and the entire walk is approximately three miles long. The fundraising goal of the Walk is to realize more than $2 million for research to find a cure for diabetes and its complications. Local JDRF Walk Sponsors include: BCBSGA, Cisco, AT&T, Melvin S. Roos & Co., InterContinental Hotels Group and Delta Airlines.

"At BCBSGA, we choose to align with organizations that support our core health initiatives and have a track record for delivering on their promises, which ultimately result in a measurable affect on the community - JDRF does this and so much more," said Monye Connolly, President, BCBSGA. "It is our mission to have a direct impact on the well-being of the customers we serve and the overall health of our communities."

The Columbus walk on Oct. 3 will be host to approximately 1,000 walkers and is expected to raise $120,000. This year two new walks have been added in Georgia: a North Metro Atlanta Walk in the Johns Creek area will take place Oct. 4 and is anticipated to have 3,000 walkers raising $350,000; and in Augusta a new site will be host to the walk on Nov. 7.

In addition to wide-spread corporate support, entire families from kids to grandparents take part in the fundraising efforts of the Walk to Cure Diabetes - many are affected, but even those who are not among the 14 million Americans with a personal connection to type 1 diabetes participate. Currently, there are approximately 500,000 Georgians living with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

The celebrity connection doesn't stop with Nick Jonas, actor Kevin Kline is the National Chair of JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes. Mr. Kline has been a celebrity JDRF advocate for the past four years.

"Those of us who are blessed with good health must do all we can to help support the research community in their search for a cure for juvenile diabetes," said Kevin Kline. "The daily regimen of finger pricks and injections of insulin, combined with the constant dread of complications, are burdens that no child should have to endure."

JDRF Walks are held in more than 200 cities worldwide. Nearly 500,000 people nationally walked last year and raised $94 million to cure diabetes.

JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes National Corporate Partners include: Advance Auto Parts, Albertsons, Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., Discover Financial Services, Ford Motor Company, Fresh Market, Lifescan, Marshalls, Old Orchard, UBS, Turner and Walgreens. Unite to Cure Diabetes partners are: Delta Air Lines, and Medtronic MiniMed.

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Fighting Three Diseases At Once

(NAPSI)-Americans seem to be all business when it comes to charity, with people in the U.S. donating more than $306 billion last year alone, according to recent numbers from the Giving USA Foundation.

Now, a new checking program from a major U.S. bank may help those numbers grow even further by making it easier for people to support the fight against three of the most common life-threatening diseases--cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

It's the type of effort experts such as Patrick M. Rooney, interim executive director of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, say people are more than happy to join.

"Our research shows that people want to give back to society and make an impact on the greater community," he explains.

Called Unite. Give. Cure.™, the program lets people use a Bank of America check card to show their support for the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association. It's an extension of the popular MyExpression™ suite of banking products that enables customers to give back more and show their loyalty to their favorite charity, school, professional organization or sports team.

There are nearly 24 million Americans with diabetes and another 57 million at risk. 2008 statistics from the American Cancer Society show that approximately 11 million are living with cancer, while coronary heart disease and strokes kill approximately 870,000 Americans annually. Through the program, the bank will provide contributions to these organizations through the following methods:

• The bank will make a contribution to the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association for every new Unite. Give. Cure. checking account opened.

• The bank will make an additional contribution to each of these organizations at the anniversary of the account opening.

• Every time a customer makes a purchase using his or her Unite. Give. Cure. check card, an additional contribution will be made to each of these organizations by the bank. Certain restrictions apply including balance requirements.

For more information, visit www.bankofamerica.com/unitegivecure.

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Stronger Together: The Mohawk Group Supports Breast Cancer Awareness with T-Shirts Designed by Todd Oldham, Proceeds to Benefit Susan G. Komen

PRNewswire/ -- Extending its collaboration with top American designer Todd Oldham beyond carpet design, The Mohawk Group, the commercial carpeting division of Mohawk Industries, announces the launch of a T-shirt campaign in support of breast cancer awareness. Designed by Oldham, the T-shirts will be sold as a "must have" fashion accessory to help spread hope and empower customers to support the fight against breast cancer - a disease that affects one in eight women in their lifetime, and that more than 200,000 men and women will be diagnosed with this year. All proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and advocates, and longtime partner of The Mohawk Group.

The tri-blend track T-shirts now available for sale in a variety of women's sizes on The Mohawk Group's Komen-dedicated Web site, www.mohawkgroup.com/cure, are offered in three design styles - Big Hearts, Big K, and Striped K - for $20 per T-shirt while supplies last.

Lasting Partnerships, Measurable Results

Along with the T-shirts, The Mohawk Group will continue to donate 25 cents for every yard of carpet specified with the Karastan and Durkan brands to Komen for the Cure. Through this "Specify for the Cure" program, The Mohawk Group pledges ongoing support to Komen for the Cure with corporate donations and additional contributions based on the carpet their customers' specify for their projects. Since the program's inception in 2001, the Company and its customers have contributed more than $3 million to innovative, life-saving research and community-based outreach.

This initiative marks the next in a series of collaborations between Durkan, a brand of The Mohawk Group, and Oldham. Last spring at HD Expo and Conference (HD Expo), the pair unveiled TODD (Todd Oldham Designs Durkan), a series of versatile collections of floor coverings that provide practical solutions to any hospitality setting.

For more information about supporting The Mohawk Group's efforts to help in the fight against breast cancer or to order a T-shirt, please visit www.mohawkgroup.com/cure. In the future, The Mohawk Group plans to introduce additional products to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure on its Web site.

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Mr. Diabetes(R) Hits 9,000 Mile Mark of 10,000+ Mile Walk to Raise Awareness About Diabetes

PRNewswire/ -- In rural Milledgeville, Georgia, 62 year old insulin-dependent Andy Mandell -- Mr. Diabetes(R), completed mile 9,000 of his 10,000+ mile perimeter walk of the United States raising awareness about the disease that nearly took his life.

"I've hit milestones in San Diego, Seattle, Chicago, Boston, and Washington DC, but small communities have the same rate of diabetes, only fewer resources to manage it. We can beat this disease locally, but it isn't going to happen on a national level. Unchecked, diabetes, which costs the U.S. $225 billion annually, will bankrupt our healthcare system," said Mandell.

Top diabetes researchers agree that a cure is at least 20 years away. The key to stopping diabetes is awareness and prevention through personal responsibility and lifestyle changes. Losing 10 - 15 pounds can make all the difference. Cut out fast food, snack foods and soda. Add 5-9 servings of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains to your daily diet.

"Pursue a more active lifestyle, like walking. Begin with ten minutes a day and increase the time gradually. It's a great way for families to catch up and get healthier at the same time," says Mandell. "These simple steps can delay the onset of diabetes and will help minimize complications," Mandell concluded.

Before THE WALK(TM) began there wasn't nearly the focus about diabetes that exists today. Mandell believes his efforts have impacted diabetes. THE WALK(TM) has captured the imagination of the public and Mr. Diabetes(R) is living proof that diabetics are neither helpless nor hopeless.

About the Wake Up and Walk(R) Tour

Now in its 7th and final year, Mr. Diabetes(R) is the sole walker. You may have seen him walking state highways in his brightly colored safety vest and walking pole. He's walked through 33 states, crossed 100 major rivers, 4 time zones (twice!), and gone through 22 pairs of walking shoes. He has met one-on-one with over 60,000 individuals and received over 100 Proclamations by Senators, Congressmen, Governors and Mayors. Through appearances and meetings at hospitals, such as Loma Linda, Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, schools, civic organizations, and the media he has reached over 65 million Americans. The Walk(R) continues through Florida before reaching the finish line in Madeira Beach, Florida in December of 2008.
For more information about diabetes, THE WALK(TM) and to make a tax-deductible donation: http://www.defeatdiabetes.org/
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