Consuelos Teams Up with the Makers of Glucerna(R) Bars and Shakes and FreeStyle Flash(TM) to Encourage Americans to Manage Diabetes Step By Step

In time for Father's Day, actor Mark Consuelos is joining forces with the makers of Glucerna(R) Bars and Shakes and FreeStyle(R) blood glucose monitoring systems to honor his father, Saul Consuelos, and to take part in a national educational effort to help the 18 million Americans with diabetes better manage their condition. Consuelos is encouraging those with diabetes and their loved ones to take the Diabetes Freedom pledge as the first step in committing to a healthier lifestyle through regular exercise, proper nutrition and frequent blood glucose monitoring.

Consuelos, whose credits include Mateo Santos on the daytime drama "All My Children," and "Hope & Faith," "Friends" and Lifetime's "Missing," is an advocate of proper diabetes management and will serve as the "Taking Diabetes Freedom to the Streets" campaign spokesperson.

Consuelos understands the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, recognizing the prevalence of diabetes in his family and that, statistically, Hispanics are 1.5 times as likely to develop the condition. His father was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes seven years ago and now manages his condition through proper nutrition and a regular fitness routine. Consuelos has a family history of diabetes, which inspires him to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.

"My family's history of diabetes means that I am more susceptible to developing the condition, which motivates me to live a healthy and active life," says Consuelos, 35, who stays fit by playing softball and soccer. "I have seen both sides of this condition. A family member passed away due to complications from diabetes. My father successfully manages his condition and is able to participate in activities such as aerobics, weight training and taking walks with his grandchildren. I am excited to be part of the Diabetes Freedom campaign and hope my father's success will inspire people with diabetes to experience the same type of freedom."

People are encouraged to visit http://www.diabetesfreedom.com/ or call 1-800-986-8935 to take the pledge. Those who take the pledge will receive valuable tools including a guide to eating well with diabetes; a quarterly newsletter with the latest health, nutrition and fitness information; and blood glucose monitoring information to help people get on their way to successfully managing diabetes.

To promote better management among the millions of Americans with diabetes, the makers of Glucerna and FreeStyle products have hit the road with the "Taking Diabetes Freedom to the Streets" tour. The tour will stop in 22 cities across the country and expects to reach thousands of people with diabetes and their loved ones, who will be encouraged to take the Diabetes Freedom pledge and commit to manage diabetes or help others manage the condition 365 days a year. Consuelos will not be present at tour stops. For complete details on tour schedule, visit http://www.diabetesfreedom.com/ .

Abbott Diabetes Care

Abbott Diabetes Care, based in Alameda, Calif., is a leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing glucose monitoring systems designed to help patients better manage their diabetes. Abbott Diabetes Care is committed to developing products to reduce the discomfort and inconvenience of blood glucose monitoring and introducing systems that are easier to use, require smaller blood samples and provide faster results.

Abbott Diabetes Care manufactures and markets several leading-edge glucose monitoring systems and test strips in the United States for use in both home and hospital settings; leading brands include FreeStyle(R), FreeStyle Flash(TM), and Precision Xtra(TM). For additional information about Abbott Diabetes Care, visit http://www.abbottdiabetescare.com/ .

Abbott's Ross Products Division

Ross Products, based in Columbus, Ohio, is committed to developing nutrition products that satisfy the needs of people with diabetes and the healthcare professionals who care for them by offering nutritional support for a healthy lifestyle. Ross Products markets Glucerna(R) Shakes, Glucerna Weight Loss Shakes, Glucerna Snack Bars and Glucerna Meal Bars in the United States through retail pharmacies, grocery stores and major discount stores. For additional information about Abbott's Ross Products Division, visit http://www.ross.com/ .

About Abbott

Abbott (NYSE:ABT) is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 60,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's website at http://www.abbott.com/ .

Source: Abbott

CONTACT: Tama Antonia Donaldson of Abbott Diabetes Care, +1-510-749-5449;
or Carolyn Valek of Ross Products Division, +1-614-624-7485

Web site: http://www.abbottdiabetescare.com/
http://www.ross.com/
http://www.abbott.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/110328.html