BOSTON - MARCH 16, 2001, Stamp News Release Number: 01-026. The U.S. Postal Service today issued the Diabetes Awareness stamp, encouraging the nation to know more about this devastating disease that kills one American every three minutes. The stamp is available at post offices nationwide today.

The first day of issuance ceremony, held at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Mass., featured Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry, actor John Ratzenberger from the TV show "Cheers," Miss America 1999 Nicole Johnson who sang the National Anthem and stamp illustrator James Steinberg.

Boston Postmaster John Powers opened the ceremony and introduced Postal Service dedicating official Deborah Willhite, Sr. Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations. "It's our hope that this stamp will help support and encourage diabetes education so the warning signs evident in both children and adults are no longer missed or mistaken for something else," said Willhite.

The event also included two symposiums on diabetes as well as free eye screenings conducted at Joslin throughout the day.

The Postal Service is launching a year-long diabetes awareness campaign along with the following: the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF), the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Association of Diabetes' Educators (AADE).

Diabetes is a chronic, genetically determined, debilitating disease affecting every organ system. Insulin is not a cure, merely life support. There are two major types of diabetes: Type I (juvenile) and Type 2 (adult onset). Anyone at any age can get diabetes, including children. Many people die or suffer life-threatening health problems because the warning signs are very often missed or mistaken for something else. There is no cure, but there is hope through research.

Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, amputation, heart attack, stroke and kidney failure-and it accounts for more than $105 billion of annual U.S. health care costs. One of every four Medicare dollars goes to pay for health care of people with diabetes.

Since the mid-1950s, the Postal Service has issued stamps that highlight social awareness issues. Recent social awareness stamps include Breast Cancer Awareness, Organ and Tissue Donation, Prostate Cancer Awareness, Hospice Care and Adoption.

Illustrated by artist James Steinberg, and designed by Richard Sheaff, the diabetes stamp includes two elements associated with diabetes testing and research: a microscope and a test tube containing blood. Featuring the phrase, "Know More About Diabetes," the design conveys the importance of diabetes awareness and early detection of the disease. This is Steinberg's first project for the Postal Service.

HOW TO ORDER THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTMARK
Customers have 30 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase the new stamps at their local post office, affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address an envelope (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to: DIABETES AWARENESS STAMP, POSTMASTER, PO BOX 9696, BOSTON MA 02205-9991.

After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service returns the envelope through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. Requests for first day of issue cancellation must be postmarked by April 16, 2001.

Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers the first day covers for new stamp issues and postal stationery items postmarked with the official first day of issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by writing to: INFORMATION FULFILLMENT, US POSTAL SERVICE, DEPT 6270, PO BOX 219014, KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014, or by calling 1 800 STAMP-24. First day covers remain on sale for at least one year after the stamp's issuance.