American Diabetes Association Announces New National Strategic Partner - VSP(R) Vision...

American Diabetes Association Announces New National Strategic Partner -
VSP(R) Vision Care

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Diabetes
Association (ADA) today announced that VSP(R) Vision Care has signed on to
become a three year National Strategic Partner.

"The ADA is delighted to have VSP join us in helping to further our mission to
educate people with diabetes about the importance of regular eye care," said
R. Stewart Perry, Chair of the Board, American Diabetes Association.

As a National Strategic Partner, VSP will support the following ADA programs
and initiatives:

-- Winning at Work - Provides resources employees need to live healthier lives
whether they are working to prevent diabetes or to manage diabetes if they
have already been diagnosed.

-- Diabetes EXPOs - Allows one-stop shopping for everything related to
diabetes, healthy eating and active living.

-- Feria de Salud - Reach thousands of local Latinos/Hispanics at an outdoor
community event with the important message that they may be at risk for
diabetes.

-- Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes - Raises funds to help find a cure for
diabetes by walking a few miles.

-- "Ask the Eye Doctor" On-line Chat Series - Offers opportunity for users to
ask professionals questions in real time.

"Our sponsorship with the ADA is a natural evolution for VSP Vision Care. In
addition to serious eye conditions, comprehensive eye exams can detect signs
of chronic diseases, including diabetes," said Jim Short, O.D., VSP Board
Chairman. "This collaboration with the ADA is key to educating Americans
about the value of regular eye care in managing diabetes."

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.

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 call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES
(1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these
sources is available in English and Spanish.

CONTACT:Christine Feheley
703-253-4374
cfeheley@diabetes.org

SOURCE American Diabetes Association

Christine Feheley of American Diabetes Association, +1-703-253-4374,
cfeheley@diabetes.org