Gary Hall Jr. Offering Tickets to Golden Goggles

MADISON, New Jersey, November 11. GARY Hall, Jr., a 10-time Olympic medal-winner, will host a swim clinic in conjunction with Drew University's World Diabetes Day Swim-A-Thon on Saturday, November 15, 2008. The event, which begins at 10 AM with a two-hour clinic given by Hall, is followed by the swim-a-thon. All proceeds benefit the Gary Hall, Jr. Foundation for Diabetes, with a portion donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Morristown Memorial Hospital. The event will be held at the Kirby Pool in Drew's Simon Forum in Madison, NJ.

This is Drew University's second-annual World Diabetes Day Swim-A-Thon. The event was created last year by Dan Sorenson, a member of the Drew University swim team who, like Hall, has Type 1 diabetes. Sorensen's efforts last year caught the attention of Hall, and he is proud to have the Foundation actively participate in this special day. The theme for World Diabetes Day 2008 is ‘Diabetes in Children and Adolescents.' The clinic will be held for children ages 8-18 years old, with specific emphasis on those afflicted with diabetes.

Gary Hall, Jr. was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1999. Despite having this serious disease, Hall competed in two more Olympic Games and won six additional medals, including three gold. Hall works passionately in support of his foundation and other research-focused organizations that share his passion for finding a cure for diabetes including JDRF and the Diabetes Research Institute.

"Since being diagnosed with diabetes in 1999, I have worked hard to control the disease rather than allowing it to control me," said Hall. "Opportunities to work directly with other people – especially kids – who have the disease, or who are at risk of getting it inspires me, and it's my way to give back to this growing community."

Like Drew's Sorenson, Hall is an inspiration to athletes with diabetes throughout the world. As extra an incentive for the Drew swim team, Hall has challenged Sorenson and his teammates to raise $15,000 for this event and has offered a pair of tickets to his table at the 2008 Golden Goggles event that will take place on Monday, November 17, as a reward.

In lieu of a registration fee, each clinic participant is asked to donate a minimum of $50 and to participate in the swim-a-thon. Participants and donors can pledge by the lap or as a lump sum.

If you would like learn more about the event please visit http://www.drew.edu/SwimAThon.aspx. If you would like to contribute to the swim-a-thon, please contact the head coach of the Drew University swimming & diving, Eric Scheingoltz at 973.408.3002 or mail your checks to:

Erich Scheingolts
Drew University Swimming
36 Madison Ave.
Madison, NJ 07940

Special thanks to USA Swimming for contributing this report.

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