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OneTouch(R) Laugh & Learn Sweepstakes to Award Scholarships for Summer Camp Experiences to Children With Diabetes

Posted on: Friday, 11 April 2008, 12:00 CDT

MILPITAS, Calif., April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- LifeScan, a Johnson & Johnson company and the maker of OneTouch(R) Blood Glucose Meters for people with diabetes, has announced an online sweepstakes that will offer an opportunity for kids with diabetes to attend a diabetes camp for free this summer. The OneTouch(R) Laugh & Learn Sweepstakes, which runs through May 20, is available at http://www.diabetesandkids.com/ and offers 30 Grand-Prize winners a weeklong stay at a diabetes camp(1) of their choice, selected from a list of camps certified by the Diabetes Education and Camping Association. An additional 1,000 second-prize winners will be given a OneTouch(R) UltraMini(TM) Blood Glucose Meter in their choice of color at no charge.

Each year, more than 13,000 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. In addition, the percentage of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the U.S. has significantly increased. Before 1994, it accounted for less than 5 percent of all newly diagnosed diabetes cases in children, but subsequently it has come to represent 30-50 percent.

According to the American Diabetes Association, attending a diabetes camp is important for these children, because such camps help to promote greater self-confidence in managing diabetes, as well as personal independence. Certified diabetes camps, located across the country, allow children to enjoy all the regular fun of summer camp, while meeting other kids with diabetes. They also offer parents some much-needed time off from their own duties in the daily management of their child's condition.

"We're pleased to be able to provide an opportunity for kids with diabetes to attend summer camp," said Charles Renfroe, Director of Global Education and Professional Relations, LifeScan. "These camps offer valuable experiences as they provide a safe and nurturing environment that allows kids to laugh, jump, play and participate in normal childhood activities, helping them realize that diabetes doesn't have to keep them from the fun of being a kid."

Lorne Abramson, Executive Director of the Diabetes Education and Camping Association, agrees and affirms the value of camps for kids with diabetes. "Diabetes summer camp truly is a wonderful experience and can help children with diabetes lead healthier and happier lives through good diabetes management," he said. "We are delighted that LifeScan recognizes this and is making available these opportunities to make the dream of attending diabetes camp a reality."

The camps are staffed by an onsite medical team as well as by trained, caring counselors, many of whom have diabetes themselves. Providing skills and experiences that will last a lifetime, the camps teach kids about nutrition, personal management and development, safe participation in a wide range of physical activities, and blood glucose monitoring and insulin delivery.

Parents or guardians who are 21 years or older and are U.S. citizens may enter the OneTouch Laugh & Learn Sweepstakes on behalf of their children with diabetes that are 17 years old or younger. Entries can be submitted by visiting http://www.diabetesandkids.com/ and completing the required registration information. They will then be automatically entered into a random drawing. There is a limit of one entry per person and per e-mail address, and entries must be submitted before midnight on May 20, 2008 to be included in the drawing.

Winners will be selected on or about May 30, 2008 from all eligible entries, and will be notified by mail.

LifeScan, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company and a leading maker of blood glucose monitoring products, is dedicated to creating a world without limits for people with diabetes. For healthcare professional resources, and information on diabetes care and LifeScan products and services, visit http://www.lifescan.com/.

(1) With a value of up to $1,000

AW# 091-619A

LifeScan, Inc.

CONTACT: Helen Patrikis, or Lara Markenson, both of Robert MarstonMarketing Communications, Inc., +1-212-371-2200

Web site: http://www.lifescan.com/http://www.diabetesandkids.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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