27-January-07

Exclusive for CBS 5 News

10-YEAR OLD ANDREW JENTLIE, WHO HAS TYPE 1 JUVENILE DIABETES, DONATED HIS MINIATURE HORSE, ZIG-ZAG, TO THE DESERT SOUTHWEST CHAPTER JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION’S PROMISE BALL AT THE WESTIN KIERLAND TONIGHT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR RESEARCH

AFTER THE AUCTION, THE COUPLE WHO PURCHASED THE HORSE FOR $6000 (AND WISH TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS) DONATED THE HORSE BACK TO THE ELATED CHILD!

       Who:  Andrew Jentlie, born 09.01.96; diagnosed 05.05.06.  Andrew and his family reside at Joyful Distractions in Chandler, AZ.  Andrew is in fifth grade at Shumway Elementary School.

       What: Zig-Zag is a four year old Registered Miniature Horse Show gelding. Andrew and his family have had Zig-Zag, since he was a yearling. One could say that Andrew and Zig-Zag have grown up together! Andrew’s mom, Denice, relates: “Zig-Zag is a character, we've enjoyed having him as a pet and a youth show gelding, he will do just about anything that is asked of him!  Andrew decided after his diagnosis that he wants to bring awareness of this disease in the hope of one day finding a cure. We've talked about different ways to involve our minis with the public and educating them about Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes.  Andrew decided that donating Zig-Zag to the JDRF Promise Ball would be a wonderful way to bring awareness to the miniature horses along with finding a cure for Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes. He will be sad to part with Ziggy (whom he calls Buddy) but knows that Zig-Zag’s new family will give him a wonderful home while their donation will  help many others with Type1 Juvenile Diabetes to live better lives. We've shown Zig-Zag since he was a yearling when he took a Grand Reserve Championship for my husband, Paul.  Since then he's always placed in the top five in every class in which he has been entered.”  

       Why: The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the leading funder of diabetes research and we believe that JDRF will find the cure!

       When: The Promise Ball 2007, January 27, 2007; more than 900 people who care, including the Valley’s elite business and philanthropy leaders will be bidding for a chance to take Zig-Zag home!

       Where: The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, 6902 E. Greenway Parkway.  6 p.m.  

For additional media information, please contact Denice Jentlie, 480-628-8887, or her publicist, Carole V. Bartholomeaux, 602 404 8018. Thank you.

Dedicated to Finding a Cure . . . The Promise has never been greater.                                                     

This news release is an in-kind donation to JDRF from B-PR, LLC.