Medtronic Announces 2011 "Global Heroes”

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 $1,000 in honor of each runner to a non-profit patient organization that educates and supports people who live with the Global Hero’s condition.

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

The 2011 Medtronic Global Heroes are:

Marathon Participants

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, Kansas
Burch has an insulin pump to manage diabetes.

William Clotfelter, Depew, New York
Clotfelter has a pacemaker to treat a heart arrythmia.

Carolina Dimsdale, Durham, North Carolina
Dimsdale has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to treat sudden cardiac arrest.

Kathleen Hammett, Hollywood, Maryland
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, Ohio
Minner has a pacemaker to treat a heart arrhythmia.

Brian Nash, Cincinnati, Ohio
Nash has a heart valve replacement to facilitate blood flow.

Kate Nguyen, Virginia Beach, Virginia
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, Minnesota
Ritter has a pacemaker to treat a heart arrhythmia.

Ten Mile Participants

Emily Bredehoft, San Jose, California
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, Washington
Gossack has an insulin pump to manage diabetes.

David Hoffman, Wayne, Pennsylvania
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, Texas
Manning has an ICD to treat sudden cardiac arrest.

Michael Nall, Mentor, Ohio
Nall has a stent to treat coronary artery disease.

Heidi Owen, Stewartville, Minnesota
Owen has an ICD to treat sudden cardiac arrest.

Gary Pauley, Parker, South Dakota
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, Missouri
Rubin has an ICD to treat sudden cardiac arrest.

About Global Heroes
A cooperative effort between Twin Cities In Motion and the Medtronic Foundation, the Global Heroes program recognizes runners from around the world who have a medical device to treat conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain and spinal and neurological disorders. There is no restriction on manufacturer.

About Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon
Known as the Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America™, the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon is a three-day weekend celebration of fitness that includes the Medtronic TC Family Events, TC 5K, TC 10K, the Medtronic TC 10 Mile, and the marathon. Twin Cities In Motion is the non-profit organization that directs race weekend as a community service for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Visit www.TCMevents.org for more information.

About the Medtronic Foundation
The Medtronic Foundation is committed to improving the lives of people around the world living with chronic disease. Its grant making is focused in three areas: health, education and community.

About Medtronic
Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology – alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people worldwide.