October 8, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: DEBORAH ROBERTS PUGH

(662) 377-3712

Visit www.nmhs.net for an electronic version of this article.

BUDDY BAIN MEMORAL FESTIVAL FOR DIABETES

TO RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS, NOV. 13

TUPELO, Miss.– Organizers are planning the eighth annual Buddy Bain Memorial Festival for Diabetes to be held Saturday, Nov. 13, to raise both money and awareness for some 70,000 people in this area with diabetes.

The event will last from 9 a.m. until noon at Gloster Creek Village on South Gloster Street. Area residents are invited to participate as individuals or as a team.

“Aside from a donation to the American Diabetes Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to benefit research and education, all monies raised will remain here to help local residents through the Diabetes Assistance Fund and Diabetes Summer Camp Fund,” explained Kay Bain, honorary festival chairperson and wife of the late Buddy Bain, a former NMMC Diabetes Treatment Center patient.

Both funds are administered through the Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi. “The Diabetes Assistance Fund provides services for needy diabetes patients or those facing hardship situations,” said Will Lowes, director of NMMC’s Diabetes Treatment Center. “The Diabetes Summer Camp Fund gives young diabetes patients an opportunity to attend a week-long camp just for them. Along with recreational activities like swimming and horseback riding, campers also learn ways to better manage their diabetes.”

Each participant who raises at least $25 will receive a Diabetes Festival T-shirt and be entered in the drawing for several door prizes. Any adult who raises $100 will be entered in the grand prize drawing. Walkers under age 18 who raise $100 are eligible to win a $300 prize package. All contributions are tax-deductible. Entertainment and refreshments will be provided throughout the event.

New this year is the festival’s “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” feature. Each group that pays the $100 entry fee will receive a standard artificial Christmas tree to decorate in their choice of theme. The official unveiling of the decorated tress and the silent auction will be from 4 until 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12. All trees will be individually auctioned off during the Nov. 13 festival, with half of each tree’s proceeds going to the group that designed it or to a charity of that group’s choice.

Diabetes Festival entry envelopes are available at North Mississippi Medical Center and at several area businesses. For more information, call the NMMC Diabetes Treatment Center at (662) 377-2500 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375).

-30-