Kmart Steps Out to Fight Diabetes

Kmart to join American Diabetes Association through in-store campaign as
diabetes rates continue to rise

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- As the rate of diabetes continues
to rise, Kmart Pharmacy has elevated its support of the American Diabetes
Association (ADA) and the diabetes community by becoming a National Sponsor of
'Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes' -- the ADA's signature walking event that
takes place in over 200 cities across the country. As a National Event
Sponsor, Kmart's goal is to raise $500,000 in 2008 to support ADA's mission to
prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by
diabetes.
Over the past two years, Kmart's customers and associates have raised more
than $1.5 million through its in-store pin-up campaign. Beginning August 31st
and concluding October 25th, Kmart will once again 'Step Out' by selling
pin-ups at their pharmacies to help combat the increased rates of diabetes.
Consumers can make a donation of $1, $5 or $10 at any one of their 1,100 Kmart
pharmacy stores throughout the U.S. Kmart is also forming 'Step Out' walk
teams, promoting ADA and diabetes messages throughout their stores, and
participating in about 30 'Step Out' events across the country.
"The American Diabetes Association is very proud of Kmart's continued
commitment to supporting our mission," said Stewart Perry, Chair of the Board
for the American Diabetes Association. "The incidence of diabetes continues
to grow with an increase of nearly 3 million more cases in the last 2 years.
We need stronger support of diabetes awareness efforts and we applaud Kmart
for their in-store promotions."
"Our support of the American Diabetes Association is another important way
we are building relationships with our customers," said Mark Doerr, vice
president, Kmart Pharmacy. "We are pleased to do our part in helping the
millions of Americans living with this disease and we thank our customers for
joining us in this effort."
There are nearly 24 million children and adults in the United States who
have diabetes, or 7.8% of the population. While an estimated 17.9 million
have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately 5.7 million people (or nearly
one quarter) are unaware that they have the disease. If present trends
continue, one in three Americans, and 1 in 2 minorities, born in 2000 will
develop diabetes in their lifetime. Each day, approximately 4,383 people are
diagnosed with diabetes.
Diabetes is a disease characterized by high blood glucose (sugar) levels
that result from defects in the body's ability to produce and/or use insulin.
It 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 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.
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 www.kmart.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation
website at www.searsholdings.com.
Contact: Carolyn Goldberg
Euro RSCG Worldwide PR
212.367.6947
carolyn.goldberg@eurorscg.com

SOURCE Kmart

Carolyn Goldberg of Euro RSCG Worldwide PR, +1-212-367-6947,
carolyn.goldberg@eurorscg.com, for Kmart