FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:Sesha Gaston

(919) 743-5400 X 3251

sgaston@diabetes.org

THE AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES

A BOLD NEW ATTACK AGAINST THE GROWING THREAT OF DIABETES

Step Out to Fight Diabetes Opens for Registration in 200 Cities Nationwide

Raleigh/Durham NC—April 2, 2007— In order to keep pace with the growing number of Americans with diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) invites communities nationwide to Step Out to Fight Diabetes in their brand new fund-raising walk. Registration opens today at diabetes.org/stepout.

Formerly known as America’s Walk for Diabetes, Step Out to Fight Diabetes is a one-day walk in more than 200 cities this fall. With nearly 21 million Americans living with diabetes, ADA created Step Out to Fight Diabetes as an aggressive attack against the disease—and a cry of hope for those affected by it.

In North Carolina, we’re dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes,” said Sesha Gaston, Director Eastern North Carolina. “Our fund-raising efforts will help fund the ADA’s research, education, and advocacy efforts, both in our community and across the country.”

“Step Out to Fight Diabetes has a wide appeal and a fresh look,” said Darlene Cain, Chair of the Board. “With so many Americans affected by diabetes, we want to reach out to them, educate them and bring a new generation of people into the ADA family. Working together is the only way we will find a cure for this disease.”

At a Step Out to Fight Diabetes event, routes range from two to six miles and are accessible to people of all ages and levels of mobility. Along the walk, participants are supported by volunteers offering water, snacks, entertainment and encouragement. The event draws a large contingency of individuals and teams, comprised of families, friends and corporations, all walking and raising money in support of ADA.

Step Out to Fight Diabetes is being sponsored locally by Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, Lowes Foods, Panera Bread, RBC Centura Bank, Global Knowledge, AAI Pharma. National sponsors of the event include Cary’s Sugar Free Syrup, Diet Rite and Kmart Pharmacy. All funds raised from Step Out to Fight Diabetes are used in support of the Association’s mission: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

Diabetes is the fifth-deadliest disease in the United States. Since 1987 the death rate due to diabetes has increased by 45 percent, while the death rates due to heart disease, stroke, and cancer have declined. Due to the fact that diabetes manifests itself in two main types, type 1 and type 2, the disease is often misunderstood by the public.

Local Step Out events include Research Commons in Research Triangle Park on October 6, 2007.

To be a part of the cure, visit diabetes.org/stepout or call 888-DIABETES. Step Out to Fight Diabetes offers an exciting event experience for volunteers, participants and all those who enjoy the feeling of being part of a community.

The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information, and advocacy. Founded in1940, the Association provides services to hundreds of communities across the country. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish. For more information about events and activities taking place in The Triangle please contact (919) 743-5400

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The Triangle Business Journal - July 23, 2004

"The occasion was a birthday /anniversary party at the Carolina Inn...The surprise party began with opening remarks from former Gov. Jim Hunt. The entertainment included a scene from "A Midsummers NIght's Dream" by Carolina Ballet dancers Lilyan Vigo Ellis and Maximilien Baud; a performance by tennage pianist Audrey Low, Low's teacher and accompanist; opera by soprano Lucy Tucker Yates, baritone Lucas Meachem and accompanist Sophia Pavlenko and bluegrass from Josh Goforth and The New Direction.

Seen mingling...were state Treasurer Richard Moore, Blue Cross and Blue Sheild of North Carolina Chief Executive Bob Greczyn, former Nortel Networks exec Frank Plastina, The Constella Group CEO Don Holzworth, Lawyer Jim Cain and entrepreneur and investor Michael Brader-Araje.

[we] began working on it about nine months ago, says [event] planner Lisa Stone of Red Jester Events, the company that managed the gathering.

Local Tech Wire

Local Tech Wire and ClearImage PR announced today that Cisco Systems, Inc. will sponsor The Tech Exec, a quarterly networking event held in locations throughout the Research Triangle Park region. The Tech Exec, created by Local Tech Wire and ClearImage PR, will hold its next gathering at the Peak 10 RTP facility the evening of Thursday, July 10th.

"The uniqueness of The Tech Exec event made it a very appealing sponsorship opportunity for Cisco," said Joe Freddoso, director of RTP Site Operations for Cisco Systems, Inc. "The Tech Exec event is a high end networking venue that provides a relaxed environment where RTP executives can meet regularly to develop meaningful business relationships."

The Tech Exec steering committee represents a broad spectrum of life science, IT and technology businesses and organizations. Appointments including Dr. Leslie Alexandre (President & CEO, NC Biotechnology Center), Chris Berg (President & CEO, Qliktech), Ben Brooks (Southern Capitol Ventures), Tim Buckley (COO, RedHat), Dr. Al Childers (President of Administration, Magellan/Cardinal Health), Randy Choplin (CEO, WindChannel Communications), Joe Freddoso, (Director, Cisco Systems, Inc), Jennifer Gibson (CFO, ChannelAdvisor), Randall Gregg (Producer, RTP-TV), Ben Griffith (VP, Peak 10), Sig Hutchinson (Producer, Success Today), Paul Munana (Principal, Insignia MetaPartners), Rick Smith (Managing Editor, Local Tech Wire), Samantha Strain (ClearImage PR), Marianna Suciu (VP, Gvt., Ltn Am & Canada Operations for SAS Institute, Inc.), and Tim Tompkins (VP, Grant Thornton).

The next event will be held on July 10th from 5:30-8pm at the Peak 10 Data Center facility in Morrisville. Guests may RSVP at www.localtechwire.com/thetechexec.cfm. Annual Tech Exec sponsors include Cisco Systems, Inc., SAS Institute, Inc., Insignia MetaPartners, Peak 10 and WindChannel Communications. Additional promotional support will be provided by Business Wire (www.businesswire.com), while Red Jester Events (www.redjesterevents.com) will manage event planning services. The Tech Exec is a quarterly event organized by Local Tech Wire and ClearImage PR.