Stop Diabetes Night at the Mariners

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Andy Willmer
206-282-4616 x 7213 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

American Diabetes Association partners with Pacific Medical Centers to educate fans about the diabetes epidemic

SEATTLE, WA (June 18, 2010) – Join the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Pacific Medical Centers on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at Safeco Field and enjoy some Major League Baseball action while supporting a great cause! The average attendance last year for a Mariners game was 27,000 - the chances are 5,700 of the fans attending on July 6 will have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Help the ADA and Pacific Medical Centers generate awareness about diabetes and stop a disease that in many ways is preventable. Dr. Rebecca Over from Pacific Medical Centers, and one of her patients who will share their story about the challenges of living with diabetes, will be available for interview either at the game or at a pre-arranged location. Dr. Over is an endocrinologist with Pacific Medical Centers, receiving her training at Georgetown University Hospital and Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.

Diabetes is the fastest growing disease in U.S. history and an epidemic that must be stopped. Nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes. In 2009, 1.6 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed, or one every 20 seconds. If current trends continue, one out of three children born in the U.S. since the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime.

The Mariners will play the visiting Kansas City Royals at 7:10 p.m. with tickets at a discounted price, and a portion of the proceeds from tickets purchased through this special offer will benefit the American Diabetes Association’s local Youth & Family Programs. Each year the ADA supports over 150 families with children who have diabetes through their Youth & Family Programs, many of them through scholarships to attend the ADA’s Family Retreat or Diabetes Camp activities. Diabetes is a serious disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or respond properly to insulin, a hormone that allows blood sugar to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy.

Nearly 24 million children and adults in the U.S. have diabetes. While an estimated 17.9 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 5.7 million people are not aware that they have the disease.

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. 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.