Diabetes Research Institute Live Well Broward County aims to help residents “Manage Well, Stay Well and Live Well” with Diabetes

Hollywood, FL (January 11, 2011) – The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF) today announced a new, first-of-its-kind partnership aimed at helping the more than 200,000* Broward County, Florida, residents affected by diabetes. Diabetes Research Institute Live Well Broward County is a joint effort of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, Walgreens in South Florida, LifeScan and a cadre of local physicians that will help residents “Manage Well, Stay Well and Live Well” with diabetes.

Diabetes Research Institute Live Well Broward County is being offered every Wednesday in 2011 at seven different Walgreens locations throughout Broward County that house a specialized diabetes clinic. Residents can visit the Walgreens diabetes clinic of their choice between the hours of 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. to receive one-on-one consultation on a myriad of diabetes issues, including free blood sugar screenings, free blood glucose meter training, medication therapy management including insulin use, access to a free diabetes resource library, and referrals to a local physician, among much more planned for the upcoming year, like eye screening for retinopathy. Those who have a prescription from their doctor and who qualify will also receive a LifeScan OneTouch® Ultra® Brand Meter to enable patients to monitor their blood sugar levels at home. The Walgreens locations participating in the partnership are:

Tamarac
• 3914 W. Commercial Blvd.
• 8790 W. McNab Road

Ft. Lauderdale
• 1201 S. Federal Hwy.

Davie
• 3015 S. University Drive

Weston
• 1751 Bonaventure Blvd.

Pembroke Pines
• 13800 Pines Blvd.

Miami
• 19935 N.W. 2nd Ave.

According to DRI Foundation President and CEO Robert A. Pearlman, this new partnership is an important step toward helping those with diabetes manage their disease. “Through Diabetes Research Institute Live Well Broward County, residents will receive much-needed diabetes consultation on an ongoing basis right in their own community. Diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions and the needs of patients with diabetes with help in managing their disease have never been greater,” he said. “The pharmacists who see diabetes patients every day are on the front line to assist in ensuring their good quality of life. As the Diabetes Research Institute continues to make progress toward a cure for this disease, this unique partnership is another step toward helping those now living with diabetes.

Walgreens Clinic Coordinator and Certified Diabetes Educator Greg Upham stated, “The more resources, tools, and education we can supply to those who have diabetes or prediabetes, including referring a physician who can help them, then the better chance we have of moving the dial on diabetes downward. We hope this initial program in Broward County may be mirrored in other communities moving forward.”

“With the help of LifeScan and the education and guidance from the Diabetes Research Institute, we are confident that we will make a life-changing impact on this community,” said Roy Ripak, market vice president for Walgreens in South Florida.

About the DRI
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. For the millions of families already affected by diabetes, the Diabetes Research Institute is the best hope for a cure.

About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2010 sales of $67 billion. The company operates 7,650 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America.

*Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC); Walgreens estimates