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The American Diabetes Association and Kroger Encourage Americans to Commit to Better Health By Participating in America's Walk for Diabetes

Posted on: Tuesday, 2 August 2005, 18:00 CDT

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and The Kroger Co. are encouraging people from all walks of life to participate in America's premier walking event, America's Walk for Diabetes, through in-store promotions at over 1,600 locations this week.

More than 18 million Americans have diabetes and the disease continues to grow at an epidemic rate, with 1.3 million people diagnosed each year. Another 41 million Americans are at risk of developing diabetes.

The ADA and Kroger know that awareness is the key to early diagnosis and treatment, as well as prevention of diabetes and its complications. Through the "National Sign-Up for ADA's America's Walk for Diabetes" -- which will also include in-store radio advertising -- participating Kroger-owned stores will help recruit walkers and help raise money to support ADA's ongoing research, information and advocacy efforts across the country.

"Kroger is committed to improving the health and welfare of the communities served by our stores, and supporting the Walk for Diabetes is a great way to help Americans get active while helping keep up the pace to beat this devastating disease," said Lynn Marmer, Kroger group vice president of corporate affairs.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Diabetes is the fifth-leading cause of death by disease in the United States. While 18.2 million Americans live with diabetes today, estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that one in three children born in 2000 will live with diabetes in their lifetime.

"The American Diabetes Association's America's Walk for Diabetes is a fun, non-competitive walking event that raises money to support ADA's mission," said Nancy Stinson Harris, Managing Director, Corporate Development, American Diabetes Association. "We are thrilled that Kroger has committed to share its resources to help us in the fight against diabetes and help reach even more people with information about how they too can support such a worthy cause."

About The Kroger Co.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,524 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states under two dozen local banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith's and Smith's Marketplace, Fry's and Fry's Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through subsidiaries, franchise agreements, or operating agreements) 793 convenience stores, 432 fine jewelry stores, 552 supermarket fuel centers and 42 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit http://www.kroger.com/.

About the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is the nation's premier voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the Association has offices in every region of the country, providing services to hundreds of communities. The Association's commitment to research is reflected through its scientific meetings; education and provider recognition programs; and its Research Foundation and Nationwide Research Program, which fund breakthrough studies looking into the cure, prevention, and treatment of diabetes and its complications. For more information, please visit http://www.diabetes.org/ or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

American Diabetes Association

CONTACT: Rachel Morgan of the American Diabetes Association,+1-703-549-1500, ext. 2290

Web site: http://www.diabetes.org/http://www.kroger.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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