Novo Nordisk Changing Diabetes(R) Bus World Tour Rolls Into the Big Apple to Mark World Diabetes Day

The Changing Diabetes(R) Bus and Village will host visitors today at New York City's Union Square Park, as its tour around the globe concludes on the eve of the first United Nations-sanctioned World Diabetes Day. Novo Nordisk, the sponsor of the tour, invites visitors to Union Square Park to participate in the global drive to raise awareness about diabetes prevention and control,

Basketball Hall of Famer and diabetes advocate, Dominique Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks, is an ambassador for the campaign. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2000, 'Nique has been sharing his personal story in order to motivate and educate the public about this disease.

"When I was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes nearly eight years ago, it came as a shock -- I thought I couldn't have it because I was in great shape," said Dominique Wilkins. "After I got through the denial, I decided I had to do something about it. I am now joining Novo Nordisk to call on all New Yorkers to change diabetes for good -- make important lifestyle changes for ourselves, and pass these good habits on to our children."

The number of people living with diabetes in New York City is rising at an alarming rate, more than doubling in the past ten years. It is estimated that more than half a million (530,000) New Yorkers -- close to one in eight adults -- have been diagnosed with diabetes. More alarmingly, an additional 265,000 have diabetes but don't know it -- bringing the total number of New Yorkers

About the event

The Changing Diabetes(R) Bus, a 59-foot mobile showroom, provides visitors with unique and interactive multimedia exhibits where they can learn about diabetes and why controlling it is critical -- for themselves and loved ones.

A wide range of services will be provided to visitors in the Changing Diabetes(R) Bus and Village. Adults can receive free screenings for blood sugar levels, cholesterol and blood pressure, while children will have their own play area, where they can draw, and enjoy face paintings and balloon twisting.

Children's Drawing Contest

Zippora Karz will also announce the international winner of the Novo Nordisk Children's Drawing Contest. The contest provides children with diabetes with an opportunity to express their emotions about living with diabetes and allows others to see how diabetes affects them. Type 2 diabetes in the young is a global phenomenon and on the rise. Through the art contest, Novo Nordisk aims to encourage children to actively take control of their diabetes.

The contest took place between September 2006 and October 2007 in select countries around the globe and was open to children with diabetes between the ages of 4 and 12. Winning entries from each country will be displayed at the event in New York City.

The international grand prize winner wins a family trip to the Walt Disney World theme park closest to their home.

Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company with an 84-year history of innovation and achievement in diabetes care. The company has the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems. In addition to diabetes care, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as hemostasis management, growth hormone therapy, and hormone therapy for women. Novo Nordisk's business is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to economic success, environmental soundness, and social responsibility to employees and customers. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 25,800 employees in 79 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'NVO'. For global information, visit http://novonordisk.com ; for United States information, visit http://novonordisk-us.com

For more information about the Changing Diabetes(R) Bus, please visit: http://changingdiabetes-us.com

Changing Diabetes is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.

SOURCE: Novo Nordisk

CONTACT: Media,

Susan Jackson of Novo Nordisk,

+1-609-919-7776,

Cell phone: +1-609-933-4103; or

Tony Ho Loke of Biosector 2,

+1-212-845-5607,

Cell phone: +1-917-714-3555,

[email protected],

for Novo Nordisk

Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020404/NVOLOGO

AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org

PRN Photo Desk:

[email protected]

Web site: http://novonordisk.com

http://novonordisk-us.com

http://changingdiabetes-us.com

--Distributed by AsiaNet ( www.asianetnews.net )--

• ข่าวWorld Diabetes Day
• ข่าวNovo Nordisk
• ข่าวo:heal
• ข่าวo:asn
• ข่าวo:eco