Defeat Diabetes Foundation Announces R & B Singer Howard Hewett as National Sp...( Hewett Will Work on Awareness and Fun...),Health

Hewett Will Work on Awareness and Fundraising Activities

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Defeat Diabetes Foundation (DDF) has announced that Howard Hewett, R & B Artist, former lead singer of the group Shalamar, has signed on to work with DDF to help create awareness about the diabetes epidemic in the U.S.

"We are extremely honored that someone of Howard's talent and celebrity has committed his time and energy to helping further our work of creating awareness about and preventing diabetes," said Andrew P. Mandell - Mr. Diabetes(R), Executive Director of Defeat Diabetes Foundation.

"We're already working on events with him in Los Angeles for this summer and Tampa, Florida for next fall. We've just completed our epic 8 year outreach effort with the Wake Up and Walk(R) Tour, a 10,000 mile walk of the perimeter of U.S. to raise diabetes awareness, so having Howard's involvement in future activities is exciting and validates the work we've already done. His tremendous popularity will allow us to reach communities in need. I think Rolling Stone said it best, 'Howard Hewett is the premier vocalist in the Post-Marvin Gaye era of romantic pop. It is no wonder he's responsible for selling some ten million records; his voice is irresistible'," Mandell concluded.

Speaking candidly on his way to a performance, Hewett said, "My mother died from complications related to her own battle with diabetes. I think that it's important that no other families have to experience that kind of pain and loss." Hewett continued, "I'm particularly excited to work with this 'grass roots' organization because it focuses on helping people identify when they are at risk for getting diabetes and providing some practical ways to prevent it. I also know, with Defeat Diabetes Foundation, that my efforts will make a difference," he concluded.