The Joe Toucan Diabetes Project Welcomes Billie Jean King to Its Advisory Board

• Press Release
• Source: Joe Toucan Diabetes Project
• On 1:30 pm EST, Tuesday December 2, 2008

LOS ANGELES, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Dec 2, 2008 -- The Joe Toucan Diabetes Project, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on researching, producing, and developing empowering projects, supplies and accessories for children and young adults living with diabetes, announces that Billie Jean King, sports icon and social activist, will be joining its advisory board.

As one of the 20th century's most respected women, Billie Jean King has long been a champion for social change and equality. King created new inroads for women and men in and out of sports during her legendary career and she continues to make her mark today. King, one of the most illustrious and celebrated tennis players in history, is recognized for spearheading the women's movement in tennis and for her life-long struggle for equality in women's sports. King empowered women and educated men when she defeated Bobby Riggs in one of the greatest moments in sports history -- the Battle of the Sexes in 1973. In 1990, Life magazine named her one of the "100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century." In 2006, the home of the US Open was renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in honor of King's contribution to the sport on and off the court.

King, who resides in New York, has been heralded as an ardent defender of equal rights for all. Through her foundation, Billie Jean King World TeamTennis (WTT) Charities, King works to inspire all humankind in the pursuit of excellence regardless of race, gender, physical or mental challenges, appearance, or sexual orientation.

Through her WTT Charities, King funds a scholarship program providing two $5,000 and two $2,500 scholarship awards to encourage diabetic teens and young adults to lead full, healthy and active lives. In 2007, Novo Nordisk, a leader in diabetes care, joined WTT to sponsor the scholarships for young tennis players. The Novo Nordisk Donnelly awards were named after two long-time World TeamTennis executives and tennis champions, Diane Donnelly Stone and Tracey Donnelly Maltby, who are sisters and have lived with Diabetes since childhood.

"Billie Jean King exemplifies the courage, determination and commitment one must have to overcome life's great challenges," said Lawrence Goldfarb, Chairman of the Board of the Joe Toucan Diabetes Project. "Unfortunately, Diabetes is a challenge that many children and young adults endure without a choice. The Joe Toucan Diabetes Project will innovatively empower and prepare these children to face the unique circumstances of their everyday life."

Goldfarb is the CEO and founder of LRG Capital Group, a San Francisco-based global investment, banking and advisory boutique. He serves as a Board Member in several charitable and non-profit foundations such as Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity, Blue Bear School of American Music, and 142 Throckmorton Theatre. His experience as the father of an autistic child has influenced him to support many organizations focused on autism research and treatment including Autism Speaks, The Oak Hill School, and The Ryder Foundation. In addition, Goldfarb is a major contributor and sponsor to the Scleroderma Research Foundation, The Mill Valley Film Festival, Homeward Bound of Marin, Blue Star Music Camps, and the Drug Policy Alliance. His love for the aid of underprivileged youth, the arts, and technology, has led him to be a major contributor to organizations such as Room to Read, The Lower Eastside Girls Club, FIRST -- For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, and the Technology High School Robotics Team.

"We are honored to welcome Billie Jean to the advisory board," said Rocky Lang, President and founder of the Joe Toucan Diabetes Project. "The Joe Toucan Diabetes Project is dedicated to helping diabetic children, teens and young adults fulfill their dreams by giving them the tools to make their lives easier and we are excited to have Billie Jean's support to achieve those goals."

Lang is a film director, screenwriter, producer and author of four books. He produced Ridley Scott's "White Squall" and the Emmy award winning mini-series "Titanic," and has directed three feature films, series television and was the Executive Producer on "Racing for Time" for Lifetime Television.

Earlier this year, the American Diabetes Association honored Lang as Father of the Year for his advocacy for children living with diabetes. He is the author of a series of empowering books aimed at children with diabetes. His book "LARA TAKES CHARGE" is in the hands of over 15,000 children, hospitals, and libraries. He is also the creator of The Courage Bag, a carry-all bag designed for people with diabetes. The Courage Bag was recently bought by the international luggage company TravelOn and featured on the home shopping network QVC. Lang has served on the board of Foundation School Community, a progressive school in Los Angeles and sits on the Health Education Advisory Board at Children's Hospital, Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Community Leadership Board for The American Diabetes Association.

King will be joining Dr. Kevin Kaiserman on the advisory board of the Joe Toucan Diabetes Project. Kaiserman is a pediatric endocrinologist and is the head of Southern California Diabetes. Previously, he was the Medical Director of the Clinical Diabetes Program at Children's Hospital, Los Angeles. He serves as a board member of Diabetic Youth Services, American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Camping Association, Manhattan Beach Drug Education and Prevention, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and is on the advisory committee for Children's Hospital, Los Angeles Clinical Research Center. In 2005 he was honored with The Notkin Family and Zachary Barnet Rosen Chair in Pediatric Diabetes at Children's Hospital, Los Angeles.

The American Diabetes Association is acting in an advisory capacity in the development of the organization's first product, the Joe Toucan doll. The doll is designed as a way for diabetic children to learn about diabetes through becoming the caretaker of his or her own doll.

About the Joe Toucan Diabetes Project

The Joe Toucan Diabetes Project focuses on researching, producing, and developing empowering projects, supplies and accessories for both children and young adults living with diabetes. Empowerment is the key to realizing that any dream is possible, any mountain can be climbed as long as diabetes is managed. The Joe Toucan Diabetes Project is based on the principal that every child can live their life to their fullest potential and is dedicated to helping children, teens and young adults fulfill their dreams by giving them the tools that will make their lives easier. For more information about the Joe Toucan Diabetes Project, please visit http://www.joetoucandiabetesproject.com.

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