Nick Jonas and the "Walk in Nick's Shoes" contest

While a little different from my traditional celeb-do-gooders news, I thought it was smart of teen pop sensation Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers to use his condition to create awareness about juvenile diabetes and funds for juvenile diabetes research. I know I'm promoting a product here, but I'd like to create awareness for this worthy cause too.

Win Chance to Meet Nick Jonas in Los Angeles and be Part of "Team Jonas" at Diabetes Fundraiser

Bayer Diabetes Care and teen pop sensation Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers invite people with diabetes to enter the "Walk In Nick's Shoes" (W.I.N.S.) sweepstakes and four Grand Prize winners will meet Nick Jonas in Los Angeles and have the opportunity to be part of "Team Jonas" at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk for the Cure in Los Angeles on November 1. The W.I.N.S. sweepstakes kicks off the launch of Bayer's new CONTOUR® blood glucose meter. Earlier this month, Bayer and Nick Jonas announced their partnership to provide young people and their families with the motivation and support they need to help simplify life with diabetes. The sweepstakes runs from August 25-October 1, 2008.

"It's going to be really exciting to meet the winners who will walk with other young people and their families to raise awareness and funds for juvenile diabetes," said Nick Jonas. "I'm lucky to have great support from my family, friends and fans. By working with Bayer to help people see life in my shoes, I hope that we can motivate others to better manage their diabetes."

Nick understands that so many of the approximately 150,000 of young adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the U.S. may feel embarrassed about their condition and he is striving to change that perception by sharing his own story. Nick, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 13, wants to inspire other young people with diabetes to achieve Simple Wins: small, everyday victories for managing the disease that can lead to big differences over time. For Nick and his demanding schedule, that means using the CONTOUR® blood glucose meter with new testing features that allow him to personalize it to match his lifestyle.

"Every one of us who travel with Nick carry a CONTOUR® meter to make sure we're there to support him whenever he needs it," said Denise Jonas, Nick's mom. "The meters are easy for everyone to use, we can personalize their features and they come in some great colors. Nick's personal favorite is Pacific Blue."

Each of the Grand Prize winners of the "Walk In Nick's Shoes" (W.I.N.S.) sweepstakes will receive a four-day/three-night trip to Los Angeles, CA for the winner and one guest. The trip consists of round trip air transportation to Los Angeles, standard hotel accommodations for three nights, ground transportation and a daily allowance. Grand Prize winners will also receive a Fit4D diabetes coaching program that includes a coach who will accompany the winner during the walk, a one-to-one diabetes coaching package for four months and eight months of fitness coaching. Additionally, ten First Prize winners will receive a pair of sneakers autographed by Nick Jonas and 100 second prize winners will receive a t-shirt. To enter the W.I.N.S. sweepstakes, log on to www.NicksSimpleWins.com.

The new CONTOUR® meter is now available in four vibrant colors: Pacific Blue, Royal Purple, Green Apple and Graphite Gray. The new CONTOUR® is the only meter that offers patients the flexibility to choose, either, "Basic" or "Advanced" levels of testing, to keep the management of their diabetes as simple and specific as they would like. The new, personalized features include programmable testing reminders and pre- and post-meal markers that provide information on how a meal can affect blood glucose, a feature particularly helpful for self-adjusting insulin users.

The sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the U.S. age 13 or older who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Permission of parent (or legal guardian) will be required for entrants under the age of 18. A random drawing will be conducted on or about October 3, 2008 from among all eligible entries. Grand Prize winners will be required to provide a letter from a physician confirming winner's diagnosis of diabetes and stating that she or he is physically able to participate in the Los Angeles JDRF Walk for the Cure. For the official rules of the W.I.N.S. Sweepstakes, to learn more about Nick's personal experiences and to read his blog about his latest activities, young people with diabetes and their families can log on to www.NicksSimpleWins.com.