"George Canyon & Friends Diabetes Heroes Tour" Brings Message of Hope and Inspiration to Canadians Living with Type 1 Diabetes

"George Canyon & Friends Diabetes Heroes Tour" Brings Message of Hope and Inspiration to Canadians Living with Type 1 Diabetes

Animas Corporation Hosts Diabetes Events in Halifax, Toronto and Calgary

BURNABY, British Columbia, April 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Animas Corporation is teaming up with Country Music Star George Canyon and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) to host a three-city, Canadian tour designed to inspire and entertain people living with Type 1 diabetes. Children and adults with diabetes, as well as their families are invited to attend for free. Reservations are required.

Kicking off May 2, the George Canyon & Friends Diabetes Heroes Tour will visit Halifax, Toronto and Calgary. During the tour stops, George Canyon and four other diabetes heroes will share their insights and strategies for living powerfully with Type 1 diabetes, a disease that impacts more than 300,000 Canadians. The goal is to show people and families impacted by diabetes that anyone can live their dreams, no matter what the odds.

"After I was diagnosed with diabetes, I worried that I would never be capable of achieving my dreams," said George Canyon, an award-winning country music artist, certified pilot, Honorary Colonel in the Canadian Air Force and a National Spokesperson for the JDRF. "I am thrilled to be partnering with Animas and the JDRF to help empower people with diabetes and motivate them to take control of their disease and live out their dreams."

Canyon has been living with Type 1 diabetes since he was 14. During the George Canyon & Friends Diabetes Heroes Tour, George will share his own personal story of living with diabetes and sing selected songs from his new album, "Better Be Home Soon."

At each tour stop, George will be joined by four additional role models living with diabetes who are pursuing their dreams and spreading messages of hope and inspiration including:

-- Joe Solowiejczyk - a nurse, diabetes educator and family therapist, who
has personally lived with Type 1 diabetes for 50 years. Joe will share
his experience and insights on how family dynamics impact diabetes
management.
-- Jordan DePape - a 19-year-old centre for the WHL's Kamloops Blazers, who
was the MJHL rookie of the year in 2008-09 and diagnosed with diabetes
at age 13.
-- Lindsey Carswell - a ski instructor from Banff who is heading to
university for the first time and in the process of getting her private
pilot's license. Lindsay was diagnosed with diabetes at age 13.
-- Mike Fisher - a 24-year-old amputee and competitive snowboarder on the
Canadian National Para-Snowboarding Team. Mike has lived with diabetes
since the age of 19.

"It's so important for children and families living with Type 1 diabetes to have role models to look up to - people just like them who can provide encouragement to conquer their disease", said Andrew McKee, President and CEO, JDRF. "The strength and perseverance of George and the Diabetes Heroes are inspirational to us. JDRF is honored to partner with George and Animas Canada on this special event."

Event details include:

-- Monday, May 2, 2011 5:00-9:00 p.m.
Neptune Theatre - Fountain Hall
1593 Argyle Street, Halifax, NS
To reserve seats, email
gcf2011halifax@its.jnj.com

-- Tuesday, May 3, 2011 5:00-9:00 p.m.
The Great Hall
1087 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON
To reserve seats, email
gcf2011toronto@its.jnj.com

-- Wednesday, May 4, 2011 5:00-9:00 p.m.
Calgary Zoo - Safari Lodge
1300 Zoo Road NE, Calgary, AB
To reserve seats, email
gcf2011calgary@its.jnj.com

Admission is free to all events; however, seating is limited and reservations are required.

Members of the media are also invited to attend. Please contact Caroline Pavis at 610.240.8128 or CPavis@its.jnj.com for more information.

About Animas Corporation

As part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, Animas is dedicated to creating a world without limits for people with diabetes through a wide range of products and tools, including the OneTouch® Ping® Glucose Management System, inset® family of infusion sets, and ezManager® MAX software. Animas, from the Latin word meaning "true inner self or soul," has been committed since 1996 to meeting individual patient needs through the development of life-performance technology and unparalleled customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

To learn more about Animas and its products available in Canada, visit www.Animas.ca.

About George Canyon

Canadian country superstar George Canyon has come a long way since he placed #2 in the second season of the popular TV show "Nashville Star". He has had numerous chart-topping songs and received many top awards for his music. The award he's most proud of is a humanitarian award from the Canadian Country Music Awards for his support of the Canadian troops and his work to aid in the search for a cure for Type 1 diabetes. George was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 14 and was told that he would never realize his dreams of flying an airplane for the military. Today he flies his own plane and is an Honorary Colonel in the Canadian Air Force. Canyon tirelessly tours Canada and the U.S. giving inspirational talks and performances for children stricken with Type 1 and their families with the message to 'never give up on their dreams'. George was appointed National Spokesperson for JDRF for 2011.

To learn more about George Canyon, visit www.georgecanyon.com or a media kit is also available at http://georgecanyon.com/media.html.

About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the leading charitable funder and advocate of Type 1 diabetes research worldwide. JDRF's mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. JDRF funding is associated with most major scientific breakthroughs in Type 1 diabetes research to date in Canada and around the world. JDRF has raised over $1.4 billion (U.S.) for diabetes research since its inception in 1970, including more than $101 million in 2009. JDRF supports research in over 22 countries globally.

For more information, please visit www.jdrf.ca or call 1-877- CURE-533.

SOURCE Animas Corporation

Animas Corporation

CONTACT: Caroline Pavis, Animas Corporation, +1-610-240-8128, Mobile: +1-610-357-3121, CPavis@its.jnj.com

Web Site: http://www.Animas.ca

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