Hi, I'd like to get some opinions on this. Medtronic is the title sponsor of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. Every year, through the the Global Heroes program Medtronic sponsors several runners to participate in the marathon and 10 mile run events there. These runners are people who are living with medical devices, people with medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, spinal disorders, chronic pain or neurological disorders. http://www.medtronic.com/globalheroes/ This is all very good, a wonderful thing. However, one of the criteria for applying for recognition in the Global Heroes program is: "Runners 40 years and older, who have had diabetes for more than 15 years, are ineligible." The guidelines for eligibility are described here: http://www.medtronic.com/globalheroes/guidelines.html Let me point out a few things. This applies to both the marathon and the ten mile race. Everyone participating in either of the events signs a waiver, whether they are part of the Global Heroes program, or registering themselves. Anyone applying to the Global Heroes program must: "Have previously run similar distances to the race to which he/she is applying (i.e. a 10 mile race or marathon). No first-time or beginning runners." "Certify they have consulted with a physician who deems the runner medically fit to participate in the race." These eligibility criteria apply only to application to the Global Heroes program. A 70 year old with diabetes for 60 years who has never run a mile is free to register and run in the marathon. These are just the criteria for applying. Selection is not automatic. Only 25 runners will be chosen for 2008. The total number of runners selected for the Global Heroes program will be about 0.2% of the participants in the marathon and ten mile races. In my opinion, the requirement that a diabetic runner must be under 40 or have had diabetes for less than 15 years is absurd. What do you all think? Thanks, Jerry

Hey, Joe, I haven't heard those NPR commercials. Do you live near the Twin Cities? If someone was going to stage an event to try to get Medtronic and the Twin Cities Marathon some bad press on this, would you be willing to participate? Just something to give a good story to the papers. "Older Diabetics Excluded by Medtronic - Stage Their Own Marathon"

Are you kidding me?? That's complete BS... I was aware of that program but never read about it that closely. I assume it's a liability issue, but that's annoying enough to make me think of never applying.

great letter. go get 'em!! you should put this up on the main board. RA is filled with loonies er I mean great supportive folks

Hi Jerry, my reply to them was not as eloquent as yours, but here it is. I'm with ya! "I wanted to express my outrage at barring diabetics over the age of 40 who have had diabetes for 15 years or more. Have you just written us all off? Once we reach the magic number, should we line up for a grave intstead of at the starting line? What a crock! I'm Type 1, 41, and thankfully have no apparent complications and normal cholesterol. You need to re-think the message you are sending. I curerntly buy some of my pump supplies from Medtronic, but obviously need to re-think that too."