FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Additional Information Contact:
Laura Templeton 512-826-0571
Amy Hyman 512-343-0663
[email protected]
Amanda Yarbrough512-472-9838 x6113
[email protected]
Austin to go blue in support of World Diabetes Day
Local Landmarks Light Up In Support of a Cure!
Austin, TX, November 5, 2009 - Austin City Hall will be among the many prestigious iconic
buildings and monuments around the world to be bathed in blue lights on Saturday, November 14.
In a show of solidarity supporting World Diabetes Day, the American Diabetes Association (ADA), in
collaboration with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), will host a celebration of this
international day of diabetes awareness beginning at 7p.m. on the front steps of City Hall. Austin City
Council Member Chris Riley, County Judge Sam Biscoe and State Representative Mark Strama will attend to
issue proclamations as Austin joins over 160 countries worldwide in the fight against diabetes. Dr. Kenneth
Shine, Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, The University of Texas, will be the guest speaker.
While the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Opera House in Sydney, Australia, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, the
Empire State Building in New York, and the Alamo in San Antonio are among many noted landmarks who
will “go blue”, there are a number of Austin landmark buildings joining City Hall in the fight against diabetes
to cast a blue light of awareness across the city skyline on World Diabetes Day. According to International
Diabetes Federation spokesperson, Phil Riley, “Austin is the first city in the U.S. to have so many buildings
participating in the event. The city is receiving a great deal of national attention of its unified support against
diabetes and its complications.” Other notable Austin buildings which will “go blue” on November 14
include The Ashton in Austin, The Austonian /Second Congress Ltd., Bob Bullock Texas State History
Museum star, Capitol Tower Inv. LP/PRS Equities & Stream Realty Properties, NNN Chase Tower,
LLC/Endeavor Properties and Grubb & Ellis, the Domain/Endeavor Real Estate, Four Seasons Residences/Post
Services Inc. & Ardent Residential, GSD&M, Monarch/Zomi LP PBA, and One Congress Plaza.
According to Vicki Callegari, Executive Director of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Austin,
“Diabetes is growing at an alarming rate around the world; over 250 million people are
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currently living with the disease and an estimated two million of those are Texans. It is so important that we
increase awareness of this devastating disease and we are thrilled by the response we have received from
the Austin businesses community to support our cause. We encourage anyone touched by diabetes to
join us at City Hall at 7p.m. on World Diabetes Day, November 14, 2009.”
About the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
JDRF is a leader in setting the agenda for diabetes research worldwide, and is the largest charitable
funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and
its complications through the support of research. Type 1diabetes is a disease which strikes children and
adults suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin
through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and
devastating complications which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and
amputation.
Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than
$1.3 billion to diabetes research cumulatively, including more than $156 million in fiscal year 2008. In
fiscal year 2008, the Foundation funded more than 1,000 centers, grants and fellowships in 22 countries.
For more information please visit www.jdrf.org/austin or call 512-343-0663.
About the
the American Diabetes Association (ADA)
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and
fighting for those affected by all types of 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 about diabetes, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and
Spanish. For additional local information, please call 512-472-9837, ext. 6115.
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