Actors Kevin Kline, Jon Lovitz and Director Jerry Zucker Team Up For First Time To Help People Become Diabetes Aware

Actors Kevin Kline, Jon Lovitz and Director Jerry Zucker Team Up For First Time To Help People Become Diabetes Aware

Novo Nordisk and Entertainment Industry Foundation Launch Public Service Announcement as Part of On-Going Diabetes Aware Campaign

PRINCETON, N.J. and LOS ANGELES, March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jerry Zucker, award-winning actors Kevin Kline and Jon Lovitz co-star in a new broadcast public service announcement (PSA) to educate people about the prevalence of diabetes. The 30-second PSA, which targets the five million Americans that are unaware they have the disease, is part of the Diabetes Aware educational campaign sponsored by Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care, and the Entertainment Industry Foundation.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020404/NVOLOGOhttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050304/NYF003LOGO )

Written by Zucker, the PSA tells the story of Fred and Ed, played respectively by Kevin Kline and Jon Lovitz, en route to the doctor's office. Zucker wrote the PSA in a style that would lead audiences to believe they were watching a trailer for an upcoming comedy. A reluctant Ed makes every excuse possible to avoid the visit as he is afraid of needles, dislikes tongue depressors (referred to as the "ahhh stick") and hates rubber gloves. The story takes a serious turn when Fred declares, "Five million people have diabetes and don't even know it. We could be one of them ... "

"Kevin and Jon make a great comedic team. They use humor to defuse fears about going to the doctor," says Zucker, director of such memorable films as "Airplane!" "Ghost" and "Rat Race." "The surprise ending of Fred and Ed being ghosts is a powerful way to convey our central message: talk to your doctor about diabetes and get tested before it is too late."

Zucker and his wife, Hollywood producer Janet Zucker, are Honorary Chairs of Diabetes Aware and have championed this cause since their daughter was diagnosed with diabetes five years ago. The Zuckers, Kline and Lovitz are joined by others in the entertainment community who volunteered support to create the PSA. Academy-award winning composer John Powell scored the music. Paramount Pictures donated its studio facilities and set from CBS's Medical Investigation. Union Editorial provided post production services, including special effects seen at the end of the PSA.

"We are delighted to be working with the Entertainment Industry Foundation and director Jerry Zucker to produce this important broadcast public service announcement," said Martin Soeters, president, Novo Nordisk Inc. "Our hope is that the campaign will reach the millions of people affected nationwide by diabetes and that it will help change the course of diabetes for good."

Novo Nordisk and the Entertainment Industry Foundation launched the Diabetes Aware campaign in March 2004 with a print PSA featuring Halle Berry. The goal of the campaign is to educate Americans about how early diagnosis partnered with an individualized treatment plan can help to prevent long-term complications associated with diabetes. The campaign encourages Americans to get a simple blood glucose test to determine if they are living with the disease. Diabetes Aware has put forth a number of other efforts with celebrity ambassadors including Dustin Hoffman. Each celebrity ambassador to the campaign is committed to raising awareness among the public about this serious but treatable disease.

Throughout 2005, Diabetes Aware will issue patient education materials to help improve communications between healthcare professionals and patients about how to optimally manage diabetes. For more information about Diabetes Aware and to view the PSA visit: http://www.diabetesaware.com/.

About Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care. The company has the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as hemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone therapy for women. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession and society. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 20,250 full-time employees in 78 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'NVO'. For global information, visit http://www.novonordisk.com/; for United States information, visit http://www.novonordisk-us.com/.

Entertainment Industry Foundation

The Entertainment Industry Foundation, as the leading charity of the entertainment industry, has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars -- and provided countless hours -- to support charitable initiatives that address some of the most critical issues facing our society.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020404/NVOLOGO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050304/NYF003LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Novo Nordisk

CONTACT: Judy Ketcik, Entertainment Industry Foundation,
+1-818-505-2649, JKetcik@eifoundation.org; or Susan Jackson, Novo Nordisk,
+1-609-919-7776, STJA@novonordisk.com; or Batisha Anson, Biosector 2,
+1-212-845-5603, BAnson@biosector2.com

Web site: http://www.novonordisk.com/
http://www.diabetesaware.com/

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