Supermodel Izabel Goulart Partners With Diabetes Research Institute Foundation as...

Supermodel Izabel Goulart Partners With Diabetes Research Institute Foundation
as International Ambassador

Brother's type 1 diabetes drives Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and Armani
Exchange model to help DRI raise awareness and funds to find a cure

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., March 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Brazilian supermodel
Izabel Goulart today announced she will serve as the International Ambassador
for the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, the nonprofit organization
whose mission is to fund the cure-focused research at the world-renowned
Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Miami. Izabel's brother
was diagnosed with type 1 during infancy, and she has been actively involved
in charitable work, helping hospitals in her native Brazil raise money to
provide free insulin for children with diabetes. Now Izabel has turned her
focus toward a cure and recently toured the Institute to meet the researchers
and witness firsthand the cutting-edge work underway. (To view a video of
Izabel's tour, visit www.DiabetesResearch.org/Izabel.)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090324/DC87081)

"I am so excited and proud to be working with the Diabetes Research Institute.
Nothing is more important to me than finding a cure for my brother," said
Izabel. "If I can raise awareness in the course of my travels, and bring
attention to the Diabetes Research Institute, I will be helping my brother and
millions like him who are living with this disease."

In her role as International Ambassador, Izabel will be rallying support and
raising awareness for type 1 diabetes and for the DRI's research, which is
focused on curing all children and adults living with diabetes. Some of the
activities she will be participating in include serving as a spokesperson or
honorary chair at DRI Foundation fundraising events and appearing in public
service announcements, among others.

"When I first met Izabel, I was immediately taken in by her warmth and her
passion for finding a cure. On her recent tour of the Diabetes Research
Institute she exhibited a strong desire to understand the work underway to
restore insulin production in patients. She wants nothing more than a cure
for her brother, and she knows firsthand how diabetes can affect the entire
family," said DRI Foundation President and CEO Robert A. Pearlman. "The
Diabetes Research Institute is located in Miami, but we collaborate with
leading researchers around the globe to ensure that the finest minds are
working to cure this disease as quickly as possible. We're honored to have an
international figure like Izabel joining in our mission."

Izabel exploded onto the international modeling scene in 2006 appearing as an
"Angel" at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. In 2007, she also appeared in
the show's CBS television broadcast. She has modeled for A-list designers
like Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Valentino, and Chanel. Most
recently she has been the Spokesmodel and face of Armani Exchange. Izabel has
appeared in and on the covers of top international fashion magazines, has been
photographed by the most reputable fashion photographers, has appeared on hit
television shows such as "Two and a Half Men" and "Entourage," and has also
made guest appearances on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien."

About the Diabetes Research Institute and Foundation
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. Since its inception in the early 1970s, the DRI has made significant
contributions to the field of diabetes research, pioneering many of the
techniques used in islet transplantation. The DRI is now building upon these
achievements by bridging cell-based therapies with emerging technologies to
restore insulin production. For the millions of families already affected by
diabetes, the Diabetes Research Institute is the best hope for a cure.

SOURCE Diabetes Research Institute Foundation

Shep Doniger, +1-561-637-5750, sdoniger@bdcginc.com, for the Diabetes Research
Institute Foundation