Kmart Pharmacy has joined forces with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to educate Americans on the treatment and prevention of diabetes. With an alarming 7% of the U.S. population living with diabetes, Kmart Pharmacy will assist the ADA in their mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

The ADA will be working closely with Kmart pharmacies nationwide to help inform and educate the pharmacists about the finer points of diabetes prevention and care.

As a national sponsor of the ADA, Kmart will begin it's in-store fund-raising program on September 3, 2006. Kmart customers will be able to purchase an emblematic ADA star for $1.00. The star will be displayed in all 1,400 store locations nationwide. The stars will be available for purchase until November 4.

Aside from the in-store fund-raising efforts, Kmart staff, families, friends and customers will make an impact nationwide on diabetes awareness by walking for a cure at the America's Walk for Diabetes events. America's Walk for Diabetes is ADA's signature fund-raising event that takes place in nearly 300 communities nationwide. Walks take place at neighborhood sites or parks on routes that range from 2 to 6 miles, and offer a variety of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. In 2005, America's Walk for Diabetes participants joined the ADA to raise over $21 million. In 2006, ADA hopes to raise even more with the added support and participation of the Kmart teams.

For more information go to www.diabetes.org or to join your local walk to go to www.diabetes.org/walk-kmart.