WHO:

Seneca Diabetes Foundation (SDF) Vice Chair, Geraldine Memmo
Mr. Diabetes® Andrew P. Mandell
Seneca Nation Members, SDF Board Members

WHAT:

SDF acknowledges the efforts of Mr. Diabetes® Andrew Mandell, a diabetic, who has founded the Wake Up And Walk® Tour with an SDF basket presentation.

Andy Mandell is the Executive Director of the Defeat Diabetes Foundation, a decade old not-for-profit organization whose mission is to inform and educate the diabetic and potential, or pre-diabetic, as to the benefits of health and fitness as it pertains to the diabetic condition.

Diabetes is one of the top health issues facing Native Americans and specifically Seneca Nation members. Fifty percent (50%) of Seneca Nation adult members have diabetes and it’s impacting its younger generations at earlier ages.

The Seneca Diabetes Foundation was founded by then President Elect, Barry E. Snyder, Sr. in October, 2004. The SDF’s mission is to provide education outreach, prevention awareness and fund research to improve the lives of Seneca Nation Members and others affected by diabetes.  The SDF Basket illustrates the fundraising efforts set forth by the foundation in the past year – raising over $250,000.

Mr. Diabetes, Andy Mandell has made it his mission to walk across the United States (over 10,000 miles) in an effort to raise awareness of the deadly disease.  Three years on the road, away from home, he has currently walked over 6,000 miles.

WHEN:

Thursday, August 25, 2005
9:30 – 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:

William Seneca Building
Health Clinic
Irving, NY

Contact: Jillian M. Fiorella
Travers Collins & Company
 842-2222, Ext. 341