PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For millions, Wilford Brimley is more than a star of the big and small screen, and more than an advertising icon; he's a celebrated champion for diabetes patients nationwide who, like him, share the task of managing a chronic disease that has reached epidemic proportions and kills more than 250,000 Americans each year. In recognition of his significant educational efforts, the nation's leading diabetes advocacy organization, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) today presented Brimley with an award to recognize his lifetime of service in raising awareness in the battle against diabetes, its deadly consequences and improving patient care.
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Diagnosed with diabetes nearly 30 years ago, Brimley has championed the cause by empowering patients to take control of their disease. He serves as a spokesman and patient emissary for the diabetes management company, Liberty Medical Supply Inc., and is actively engaged in outreach efforts through Veterans Administration hospitals and myriad community-based initiatives.
"I just want to tell people the truth. There is an up side and a down side," Brimley said after receiving the award. "I'm trying to talk to that person who is not feeling well and experiencing symptoms they don't understand. Diabetes is no longer a death sentence when you don't want it to be. I'm one of the luckiest guys you will ever run into, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be of service."
Larry Hausner, the chief executive officer of the American Diabetes Association, presented Brimley with the award at Liberty's headquarters in Palm Beach.
"Wilford Brimley has had a profound impact on patients living with diabetes and his message is an empowering message of hope. As someone who lives with the disease, and doesn't allow it to stop him from pursuing his passions - both personally and professionally - he speaks from experience and is guided by his heart," said Hausner. "On behalf of the near 24 million Americans with diabetes, the American Diabetes Association is grateful for Wilford's vigilance in raising national awareness of diabetes and its deadly consequences and for educating, inspiring and improving the lives of people with diabetes."
The 74-year-old actor, whose credits date to 1968 as a stuntman, has had memorable turns in "Cocoon," "The Natural" and "The Firm" and showed a deft comic touch as Postmaster General in "Seinfeld." As spokesman for Liberty for the past decade, Brimley has encouraged millions of patients to avoid complications by properly controlling their disease and regularly testing their blood sugar.
Nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes, and another 57 million have pre-diabetes, placing them at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. 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.
To properly manage their disease, patients must carefully monitor their blood glucose (sugar), maintain a healthy weight through meal planning and physical activity and, in many cases, take medications.
Following the award ceremony, Brimley visited the Liberty call center at the company's Palm Beach headquarters where he chatted with diabetes patients and met with employees to recognize Liberty's Pride winners for customer excellence.
"We join the American Diabetes Association in recognizing Wilford, and we take great pride in our long-standing association," said Laizer Kornwasser, president of Liberty, a Medco Health Solutions, Inc. company. "Wilford commands attention and provides encouragement to millions of patients who are living with diabetes - one of the most pervasive diseases in our society but also, one of the most manageable. Through his constant reminders on the importance of diet, exercise, blood glucose testing and medication therapy, Wilford helps patients live healthier lives and avoid the tragic complications associated with diabetes - including heart attack, strokes, blindness and amputations."
A video of Brimley describing his experience with diabetes can be seen on the Liberty Web site (http://www.libertymedical.com/) under "Videos & Resources" in the video gallery.
About American Diabetes Association
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 http://www.diabetes.org/. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.
About Liberty Medical
Liberty is the nation's largest provider of blood glucose testing supplies and related services to people with diabetes and today serves over one million diabetes patients. Liberty also offers a full service pharmacy to meet patients' medication needs and provides patient education to help its patients better manage their health conditions. Through proactive patient outreach, convenient home delivery and administrative support, Liberty makes it simple for patients to obtain the supplies and medications they need, while encouraging compliance with physicians' orders. More information about Liberty can be found on the Company's website at http://www.libertymedical.com/.
About Medco
Medco Health Solutions, Inc. is the nation's leading pharmacy benefit manager based on its 2007 total net revenues of more than $44 billion. Medco's prescription drug benefit programs, covering approximately one-in-five Americans, are designed to drive down the cost of pharmacy health care for private and public employers, health plans, labor unions and government agencies of all sizes, for individuals served by the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program, and those served by Medco's specialty pharmacy segment, Accredo Health Group. Medco, the world's most advanced pharmacy(R), is positioned to serve the unique needs of patients with chronic and complex conditions through its Medco Therapeutic Resource Centers(R), including its enhanced diabetes pharmacy care practice through the Liberty acquisition. Medco is the highest-ranked independent pharmacy benefit manager on the 2008 Fortune 100 list. On the Net: http://www.medcohealth.com/.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the risks and uncertainties that affect our business, particularly those mentioned in the Risk Factors section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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