Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and TELUS team up for the 2008 TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes

    Canadians urged to help reach the fundraising goal of $7 million.

    TORONTO, May 27 /CNW/ - The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's
(JDRF) biggest fundraising event takes place in cities across Canada
throughout May and June. The new event name, TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes,
underscores the commitment TELUS has made to its partnership with JDRF and to
funding needed research to help the more than 200,000 Canadians affected by
Type 1 diabetes.
    "Children living with Type 1 diabetes benefit greatly from the money
raised at the TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes. Research provides advances in the
way Type 1 diabetes is treated that allow children to better manage the
disease and live full, active lives," says Andrew McKee, President and CEO of
JDRF. "With TELUS as a partner to help heighten awareness and increase
contributions, we will find a cure for this devastating disease."
    Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes is a non-preventable autoimmune disease that
is increasing by three to five per cent annually in terms of incidence - the
greatest rise is among children aged five to nine years old. More than 45,000
Canadians participate in the Walk every year. The fundraising goal set for
2008 is more than $7 million.
    "It is alarming that the number of children with juvenile diabetes is
increasing between three and five per cent each year," says Joe Natale, TELUS
executive vice-president and president TELUS Business Solutions. "I am excited
to learn that research, much of it led by Canadian scientists, has brought us
much closer to a cure. We at TELUS are very proud to sponsor the TELUS Walk to
Cure Diabetes. We encourage Canadians across the country to walk with us to
raise money for this important cause."
    Type 1 diabetes is the most severe type of diabetes and the 200,000
Canadians living with the disease are insulin-dependent for life with the
constant threat of developing devastating complications such as blindness,
end-stage kidney disease, nerve damage, heart attack, stroke, amputation and
even death. Insulin allows a person with diabetes to stay alive, but it does
not cure diabetes nor does it prevent complications. Greater attention has to
be paid to this disease if a cure is going to be found.
    To join this fun-filled event and enjoy a healthy day outside with
friends and family, please visit www.jdrf.ca/walk for more information. People
can sign up individually, in groups of families and friends, or as corporate
groups.

For further information: about the TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes in your
area or to arrange interviews and/or photo opportunities with the JDRF youth
ambassadors, JDRF spokespeople and/or TELUS spokespeople, please contact:
Angela Baker, Hill and Knowlton Canada, [phone],
[e-mail]