Profile of BB King featured on Discovery Health Channel in special Noevember series on diabetes

More than 17 million Americans have diabetes; nearly one-third are unaware they have the disease. Beginning November 14, the Discovery Health Channel will present three informative programs about diabetes using real-life stories.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      CONTACTS: Toni Delacorte, Discovery Health Channel
November 1, 2002            301-771-3781 or toni_delacorte-CW@discovery.com
                           Genea Luck, American Diabetes Association
                  (703) 299-2077 or gluck@diabetes.org

MANY FACES AND FACETS OF DIABETES FEATURED IN THREE SPECIAL PROGRAMS THIS NOVEMBER ON DISCOVERY HEALTH CHANNEL

-Supporting the efforts of the American Diabetes Association, programs use
real-life stories to shed light on disease reaching epidemic proportions -

BETHESDA, MD -- November 2002 -- BEATING DIABETES, a three-part series of one-hour programs produced by the Discovery Health Channel in support of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), brings viewers to the front lines of the fight against a silent epidemic. The first program in the series looks at new experimental treatments; the second profiles blues artist BB King; and the third features an interview with actress Liz Torres.
Coinciding with National Diabetes Awareness Month in November, each of the three special programs uses personal stories to take a compelling look at diabetes, an incurable disease that affects an estimated 17 million people in the US -- nearly six million of whom do not even know they have it.
Discovery Health Channel is supporting the ADAs efforts to raise awareness of diabetes, its serious complications and to support efforts in searching for a cure. It is our hope that these programs will help people learn about diabetes and get involved in our mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes," said Francine Kaufman, M.D., President, American Diabetes Association.
DIABETES: IN SEARCH OF A MIRACLE, which premieres Thursday, November 14, 8-9 PM (ET/PT), features people with diabetes who are now facing serious complications due to their diabetes -- such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and lower-limb amputations, all devastating consequences of diabetes. The show also looks at cutting edge experimental transplants that have ignited beacons of hope.
Legendary blues singer BB King is the subject of MEDICAL PROFILE: BB KING, which premieres Monday, November 18, 9-10 PM (ET/PT). Few would guess that King is living with diabetes or that he nearly ended up in a coma before he was diagnosed 12 years ago. On tour in 1990, King was at the top of his game -- traveling around the world doing 300 shows a year -- when he suddenly developed a

mysterious illness that he could not shake. King has no idea how long he has had diabetes because many people live for years with undiagnosed diabetes. And, the symptoms are generally silent," gradually sneaking up with very few outward symptoms. In its early-undiagnosed stages, diabetes can cause serious nerve damage, kidney and eye disease and even heart disease may begin to develop unnoticed. Factors such as his age, the fact that he was overweight, even his family history contributed to King being at high risk for developing the disease.
   Minorities such as African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are disproportionately affected by diabetes. SILENT CRISIS: DIABETES AMONG US, premiering Saturday, November 23, 10-11 PM (ET/PT), exposes the silent menace lurking within the Black and Latino communities and features personal stories of people that illustrate how diabetes threatens their health, their families and their lives. Among those profiled include Liz Torres, a television, stage and film actress who was recently diagnosed as having a condition called pre-diabetes." Torres currently plays Miss Patty in the WB Network series, "Gilmore Girls."
It is so important to shed light on diseases such as diabetes that are growing in epidemic proportions," says Bob Reid, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Discovery Health Channel. We are honored to have the expertise of the American Diabetes Association to help Discovery Health Channel bring this engaging, inspiring and informative series of programs to our audience."
In addition to programming, other key components of the partnership with the American Diabetes Association include Discovery Healths promotion of ADAs nationwide fundraisers Americas Walk for Diabetes," special educational PSAs that will air on the Discovery Health Channel throughout the month of November, and diabetes related content on the DiscoveryHealth.com web site.

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EDITORS NOTE: Video clips, screeners, photos, graphics and interviews with talent are available upon request. Contact Toni Delacorte: 301/771-3781

The American Diabetes Association is the nations leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the ADA has offices in every region of the country, providing services to hundreds of communities. For more information, please visit www.diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383).
   
The Discovery Health Channel is a 24-hour health channel from the people who also bring you the Discovery Channel. Discovery Health is a source of trustworthy information about health, medicine, nutrition and fitness, both on television and online at www.discoveryhealth.com. Together, they reveal the remarkable science behind everyday human experiences, allowing viewers to walk away with a stronger knowledge and a deeper understanding of the ever-changing health and medical environment.