RUNNING USA – Medtronic Announces 2011 „Global Heroes“ -Distance runners from around the world who benefit from medical technology to run Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon events on October 2, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS – (July 22, 2011) – Twenty-five long-distance runners who benefit from medical technology will be honored as "Medtronic Global Heroes" when they run the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or TC 10 Mile on Sunday, October 2, 2011.

This year's team includes runners from 10 different countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. Each runner has a medical device to treat conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, spinal disorders, chronic pain or neurological disorders. The Medtronic Global Heroes program, launched in 2006, celebrates their accomplishments and passion for running, which serves as an inspiration to others living with chronic diseases.

Global Heroes participants are selected by Twin Cities In Motion, the non-profit organization that directs the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. In addition to providing race entry and travel expenses, the Medtronic Foundation will donate $1000 in honor of each runner to a non-profit patient organization that educates and supports people who live with the Global Hero's condition.

The 2011 Medtronic Global Heroes are:
Marathon Participants (13)
Jonas Alpsten, Karlstad, Sweden – Alpsten has an insulin pump to manage diabetes.
Russell Bestley, Portsmouth, United Kingdom – Bestley has a pacemaker to treat a heart arrhythmia.
Lindsey Burch, Mission, KS – Burch has an insulin pump to manage diabetes.
William Clotfelter, Depew, NY – Clotfelter has a pacemaker to treat a heart arrythmia.
Carolina Dimsdale, Durham, NC – Dimsdale has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to treat sudden cardiac arrest.
Kathleen Hammett, Hollywood, MD – Hammett has an implantable neurostimulator for bladder control.
Roger Hanney, Petersham, Australia – Hanney has an insulin pump to manage diabetes.
Haim Leibovich, Udim, Israel – Leibovich has a stent to treat coronary artery disease.
Erica Minner, Lebanon, OH – Minner has a pacemaker to treat a heart arrhythmia.
Brian Nash, Cincinnati, OH – Nash has a heart valve replacement to facilitate blood flow.
Kate Nguyen, Virginia Beach, VA – Nguyen has an ICD to treat sudden cardiac arrest.
Francisco Agustin Palma Sanchez, Sevilla, Spain – Palma Sanchez has an insulin pump to manage diabetes.
Ania Ritter, Minneapolis, MN – Ritter has a pacemaker to treat a heart arrhythmia.

Ten Mile Participants (12)
Emily Bredehoft, San Jose, CA – Bredehoft has an implantable neurostimulator to treat chronic pain caused by a neurological condition.
John Dunn, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada – Dunn has an ICD to treat sudden cardiac arrest.
Lindsay Gossack, Seattle, WA – Gossack has an insulin pump to manage diabetes.
David Hoffman, Wayne, PA – Hoffman has a heart valve replacement to facilitate blood flow.
Terje Husøy, Heidal, Norway – Husøy has a pacemaker to treat a heart arrhythmia.
Julio Cesar Batista Lucas, Franca, Brazil – Lucas has an insulin pump to manage diabetes.
Julie Manning, Austin, TX – Manning has an ICD to treat sudden cardiac arrest.
Michael Nall, Mentor, OH – Nall has a stent to treat coronary artery disease.
Heidi Owen, Stewartville, MN – Owen has an ICD to treat sudden cardiac arrest.
Gary Pauley, Parker, SD – Pauley receives deep brain stimulation from an implantable neurostimulator to manage symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.
Francesca Polese, Milano, Italy – Polese has an insulin pump to manage diabetes.
Ron Rubin, Clayton, MO – Rubin has an ICD to treat sudden cardiac arrest.

Additional information about the Medtronic Global Heroes program can be found at www.medtronic.com/globalheroes or visit the Medtronic Global Heroes Facebook page.

RUNNING USA