Medtronic Global Heroes Program

SEEKING LONG-DISTANCE RUNNERS BENEFITTING FROM MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

“Global Heroes” will receive entry and travel to the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or Medtronic TC 10 Mile in October

Medtronic is now recruiting runners from around the world who benefit from medical device technology to participate in the third annual Medtronic Global Heroes program. The deadline for applications is April 2, 2008.

Up to 25 runners will be selected to receive two paid entries into the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or the Medtronic TC 10 Mile. Runners also will receive a travel package that covers airfare for the Global Hero, lodging and meal expenses. The 27 th Annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon weekend will take place Oct. 3-5, 2008 in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Medtronic also will donate $1,000 to a non-profit patient organization that educates and supports individuals who live with the runner’s condition.

Global Hero applicants must currently be using a medical device therapy to treat diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain, spinal disorders, neurological disorders or gastroenterology and urology conditions. Certain conditions may apply and applicants must certify that they have consulted with a physician about participation in these races. All runners with medical devices are welcome to apply with no restriction on manufacturer.

To apply or nominate someone to be a Global Hero, visit Medtronic's website or email the Global Heroes Program. The deadline for accepting all applications is April 2, 2008. Runners will be chosen by a committee of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. Certain conditions may apply and applicants must certify that they have discussed race participation with their physician.

Global Heroes for SADS, 2007

Courtney Sprissler, Raleigh, North Carolina

An active child who enjoyed athletics, Courtney became passionate about running in middle school and began to compete in cross country and track in high school. “As my junior year concluded, my running was halted with fainting episodes that were shortly diagnosed as Long QT Syndrome.”

Under the care of her cardiologist, Courtney resumed competitive running in the middle of her senior year and was recruited to run at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. “Three weeks into college my running career was halted again from a very serious syncope episode. I was taken to UNC-Chapel Hill a day later to have an ICD implanted…all I could think was how months and months of training was down the drain. How could this be fair…

“Over the next year or so I lived an exercise-free life out of sight of normal competition. This is about the time I learned that some things are more important than you really notice. I learned the true appreciation of good health and how fortunate I was for a technology like the ICD.”

Erin McGann, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome, McGann had unexplained grand mal seizures that were life threatening before receiving a pacemaker eight years ago.

“Since getting the pacemaker, I have not had any more seizures, and I have no adverse side effects. I can run and train without threat or worry. I had a baby the same year I got the pacemaker; she has also been diagnosed with Long QT. One of the main reasons I run and compete is to show my daughter there are no barriers to what she can do and to show the importance of staying fit and healthy.”

James Todd, Port Haywood, Virginia

“I’d had back spasms off and on since my early 20s,” states James. “By the time I had spine surgery, the pain and muscle spasms were so intense that my ability to perform my job as a firefighter and medic – and to just enjoy life – had become almost impossible.”