Kmart Steps Out To Fight Diabetes

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 03 Oct 2007 - 11:00 PDT

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The American Diabetes Association (ADA) announced that Kmart has reinforced its commitment to ADA and elevated its support for the diabetes community by becoming a National Strategic Partner (NSP). As a National Strategic Partner, Kmart will raise at least $1 million to support ADA's mission to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

Kmart's relationship with ADA began in 2006. Kmart's customers and associates raised more than $900,000 through its in-store pin-up campaign in the Kmart pharmacies. In an attempt to increase awareness of diabetes and support for the cause, Kmart has expanded its fund-raising effort to the entire store. Kmart customers can make a donation of $1, $5 or $10 at registers. Kmart is also forming 'Step Out to Fight Diabetes" walk teams, promoting ADA and diabetes messages throughout all 1,400 Kmart stores nationwide, and participating in select ADA Diabetes EXPO events.

"Kmart's commitment to the diabetes community should not go unnoticed, particularly as the company embarks on such an ambitious fund-raising goal," said Darlene Cain, Chair of the Board, American Diabetes Association. "Kmart recognizes the need to take a bold stance in the fight against diabetes. Its action to mobilize the support of all of its stores across the country to support ADA's mission and raise awareness about the seriousness of diabetes speaks volumes."

In addition to Kmart's pin-up campaign and support of ADA's Step Out to Fight Diabetes walk fund-raising event, Kmart has also signed on to sponsor ADA's new Planet D - Explore. Discover. Connect. Youth Initiative, which is slated to be unveiled nationwide in early 2008. Kmart is also sponsoring a pilot program in Fall 2007 to support ADA's Planet D Youth Initiative in three markets - St. Charles, IL, Minneapolis, MN, and Jacksonville, FL. Young people with type 1 diabetes, who often have the most urgent need for care, will explore and discover new possibilities about themselves and their diabetes while connecting with other children like them through Planet D.

"Our support of the American Diabetes Association is another important way in which we are building relationships with our customers," said Mark Doerr, vice president, Kmart Pharmacy. "We are pleased to do our part in helping the nearly 21 million Americans living with this disease and we thank our customers for joining us in this effort."

Nearly 21 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, a disease characterized by high blood glucose (sugar) levels that result from defects in the body's ability to produce and/or use insulin. Another 54 million Americans are estimated to be at high risk for developing this disease. Diabetes can lead to severely debilitating or fatal complications, such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, and amputations.

About the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is the nation's premier voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. The Association's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Founded in 1940, the Association provides services to hundreds of communities across the country. For more information, please visit the American Diabetes Association. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

http://www.diabetes.org

About Kmart

Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Martha Stewart Everyday and Route 66. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.kmart.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at http://www.searsholdings.com.