Throughout Florida, Thousands Walk With Walgreens and the Diabetes Research Institute Toward a Cure for Diabetes

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., March 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A growing partnership between Walgreens of Florida and the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, coupled with a tremendous showing of support from the community, is on track to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for cure-focused diabetes research.  On Sunday, April 10, from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., the first-ever Walk with Walgreens Family Fun Day & Health Fair will take place at 14 locations across Florida.  Additionally, from now through April, 851 Walgreens stores throughout the state and parts of Georgia and Alabama will be selling "scannables" in the amounts of $1, $5 and $10 that customers can write their names on and help decorate the stores' walls.  All proceeds benefit the Diabetes Research Institute.

"I couldn't be more pleased with the response we've received from our customers and our employees.  It's truly amazing how the community is really getting behind this effort, and I can't wait to see how far this can go," said Roy Ripak, market vice president of Walgreens.  

Each walkathon location will feature a variety of fun activities and entertainment, like face painting and clowns, plus health booths and information and a chance to win a $500 scholarship.  Those interested in registering to Walk with Walgreens should go to their local Walgreens drugstore.  Brochures with registration and pledge forms are located at the register, and all registrants can add their photo to a special wall in the store.  Each person who registers for the walk will also be included in Walgreens Nationwide Walk with Walgreens initiative, which is a program aimed at encouraging and inspiring the masses to bring wellness into their life through walking.  The walk location with the most registrants will be treated to a fantastic performance by American Idol finalist Kevin Covais, who has type 1 diabetes.

"Corporations take part in walkathons all the time.  But for a company to organize an effort of this magnitude, it very well may be unprecedented," stated Robert A. Pearlman, president and CEO of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF).  "We have one goal at the Diabetes Research Institute – to find a cure for diabetes.  We are so thankful to Walgreens for helping us get a little closer to reaching that goal."

Also in stores from now through April, Walgreens employees are kindly asking customers if they would like to purchase a "scannable," which features the DRIF logo.  Customers can choose to purchase one and write their name on top, as it will then be displayed on the store's walls for all to see.

The Walk with Walgreens Family Fun Day & Health Fair is taking place at:

• Port Orange City Circle in the Daytona area
• Tradewinds Park in Fort Lauderdale
• The Suns Stadium  in Jacksonville
• Lake Parker Park in Lakeland
• Lori Wilson Park in Melbourne
• Tropical Park in Miami
• Cranes Roost Park in Orlando
• Plaza De Luna Park in Pensacola
• Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie
• Siesta Beach Key in Sarasota
• Estero Community Park in Southwest Florida
• Lake Ella Park in Tallahassee
• Land O'Lakes Rec. Complex in Tampa
• Roger Dean Stadium in West Palm Beach

Anyone interested can stop by the closest Walgreens store for a brochure or print one online.  For more information, visit www.DiabetesResearch.org/WalgreensWalk or call 1-800-321-3437.

The mission of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation is to provide the Diabetes Research Institute with the funding necessary to cure diabetes now. The Diabetes Research Institute, a Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is a recognized world leader in cure-focused research. Since its inception in the early 1970s, the DRI has made significant contributions to the field of diabetes research, pioneering many of the techniques used in islet transplantation. The DRI is now building upon these achievements by bridging cell-based therapies with emerging technologies to restore insulin production. For the millions of families already affected by diabetes, the Diabetes Research Institute is the best hope for a cure.

SOURCE Diabetes Research Institute Foundation