Lance® Joins JDRF in the Fight Against Type 1 Diabetes

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lance® Sandwich Crackers is partnering with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) to support the organization's efforts to find better treatments and a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that can strike at any age, in which the body is unable to produce the insulin needed to turn food into energy.  People with the disease must test their blood sugar and administer multiple insulin injections every day to stay alive. They are susceptible to devastating complications such as kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation.

Lance® Sandwich Crackers, part of the Snyder's-Lance, Inc. family, announced today a partnership to be a signature sponsor of the JDRF 2011–2012 Walk to Cure Diabetes in five cities: Charlotte, Boston, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Cleveland. Walk sponsorship benefits include corporate recognition on walk related materials and on-site product sampling.

"We are excited to partner with JDRF to raise awareness and funding for an issue that is important to our consumers," said Claude O'Connor, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Snyder's-Lance, Inc. "Giving back to our communities is a big part of our corporate culture, and we hope to continue this partnership in the future to help donate more to diabetes research."

"The Walk to Cure Diabetes is JDRF's largest fundraiser and we are excited to partner with Lance to help the events thrive nationally this season," said Yvonne Miller, National Director of Corporate Relations for JDRF. "Lance has been a great partner in Charlotte; they were recently honored at the 2010 Hope Gala and have provided local sponsorships throughout the years. Our expanded partnership on a national level will help tremendously in our efforts to raise more awareness for type 1 diabetes."

As many as 3 million Americans have type 1 diabetes. Each year, more than 15,000 children and teenagers, and 15,000 adults are diagnosed with the disease. Over 500,000 people from corporations, schools, and families across the country participate at this family-friendly event to raise critical funds for diabetes research. Last year, JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes raised $86 million to fund research for diabetes and its complications.  

Lance® Sandwich Crackers are available in 19 varieties, including whole grain, 100-calorie, and reduced fat options. The sandwich cracker varieties are made with freshly-baked, crispy crackers and real peanut butter or real cheese filling. The company prides itself on being in the know with nutritional considerations of moms and other consumers, which is why Lance® Sandwich Crackers have 0 grams trans fat, no preservatives, and no high fructose corn syrup.

For more information about Lance® Sandwich Crackers, visit www.lance.com or the Official Lance Snacks Facebook page.  More information about JDRF can be found at www.jdrf.org or on the JDRF Facebook page.

About Snyder's-Lance, Inc.

Snyder's-Lance, Inc., headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, manufactures, markets, and distributes snack foods throughout the United States and internationally.  The company's products include pretzels, sandwich crackers, potato chips, cookies, tortilla chips, restaurant style crackers, nuts, and other snacks.  Snyder's-Lance has manufacturing facilities in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Indiana, Georgia, Arizona, Massachusetts, Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Ontario, Canada.  Products are sold under Snyder's of Hanover, Lance, Krunchers!, Cape Cod, Jays, Grande, Tom's, Archway, O-Ke-Doke, and Stella D'oro brand names along with a number of private label and third party brands.  Products are distributed widely through grocery and mass merchandisers, convenience stores, club stores, food service outlets, and other channels.

About JDRF

JDRF is the worldwide leader for research to cure type 1 diabetes.  It sets the global agenda for diabetes research, and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of diabetes science worldwide.

The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.  Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly, and can be fatal. Until a cure is found, people with type 1 diabetes have to test their blood sugar and give themselves insulin injections multiple times or use a pump – each day, every day of their lives.  And even with that intensive care, insulin is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its potential 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 $1.5 billion to diabetes research, including $107 million last year.  More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education.  For more information, please visit www.jdrf.org.

For more information on JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes, visit www.walk.jdrf.org.

SOURCE Snyder's-Lance Inc.