Vince Wilfork tackles diabetes

(Boston, Massachusetts) September 16, 2011 -  Bianca & Vince Wilfork and Joslin Diabetes Center will be “Tackling Diabetes” with the support of EMD Millipore during this year’s Patriots season, raising money for the Vince Wilfork Foundation and Joslin Diabetes Center’s High Hopes Fund. The program will kick off this Sunday, September 18, with the Patriots’ first home game at Gillette Stadium and continue though the final regular season home game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, January 1, 2012.   

Fans of Vince and the important work of the Joslin Diabetes Center will pledge $7.50 or $75.00, in honor of our beloved #75, for each tackle Vince makes during the regular season.  One-time individual or corporate donations are also encouraged ranging from $75 to $7500.  WEEI will be promoting the program on its sports radio show weekly.  Fans who participate have the opportunity to meet Vince at a VIP reception and to win amazing prizes throughout the season!

“Tackling Diabetes” is a very personal effort for the Patriots defensive tackle and his wife Bianca. Vince’s Dad, his most devoted fan, passed away from complications of his diabetes while Vince was a student at University of Miami. His Dad never had the chance to see him play with the Patriots, or become a loving husband and father based on the example his parents had shown him.

“Bianca and I realize how precious life is and we are dedicated to doing all we can to prevent others from having to suffer the loss we did because of diabetes. We created the Vince Wilfork Foundation to support care givers and researchers, like those at Joslin Diabetes Center,” according to Vince Wilfork. “The folks at the Joslin work to educate about prevention, offer healthier, longer lives to children and adults living with diabetes and their researchers are racing towards a cure; we know our challenge to “Tackle Diabetes” will bring in support from the best fans in the NFL.”

“The Joslin Diabetes Center is grateful to Bianca and Vince Wilfork for their efforts on behalf of Joslin’s High Hopes Fund,” said Joslin President and CEO John L. Brooks, III. “The High Hopes Fund supports the Center’s greatest needs in research, education and clinical care, making it possible for us to look forward to a future without diabetes.”

“Tackling Diabetes” is a positive way to take part in the game. It asks fans to participate withVince Wilfork in meeting or beating his 57 tackles during the 2010 regular season, knowing the funds raised by the Vince Wilfork Foundation and Joslin Diabetes Center’s High Hopes Fund will help provide life-changing and life-saving research for one of America’s fastest-growing diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 25.8 million Americans suffer from diabetes, with some 2 million new cases each year.  The CDC estimates that by 2050, one-third of Americans could develop diabetes.  The current annual economic cost of diabetes in the U.S. is estimated to be more than $218 billion.

To get involvedMake a $7.50 donation for every tackle that number 75 makes to the Vince Wilfork Foundation and the Joslin Diabetes Center High Hopes Fund! Visit http://events.joslin.org/wilfork  to register.  Or for more information, Erik Ryan at erik.ryan@joslin.harvard.edu or 617.264.2531

Click here to order Vince Wilfork’s proCane Rookie Card.


(wickedlocal.com)