The International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum is teaming up with Touched By An Angel actress and singer Della Reese, a 2001 Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee, to promote diabetes awareness.

Reese serves as the national spokesperson for an educational awareness campaign called "Della Reese: Stronger Than Diabetes". From her hometown of Detroit, where the Hall of Fame is also located, she conducted a series of televised interviews with stations in major U.S. markets to discuss the campaign and her personal experience with type 2 diabetes. Hall of Fame founder David Gough, who was present during the broadcasts, was inspired to act.

"My own father was a diabetes patient, and I know from that experience how devastating the disease can be," said Gough. "A number of other Hall of Fame inductees, including Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, were affected by complications of diabetes."

"I strongly support the work Ms. Reese is doing to help people learn about managing the disease, because it will help save lives," said Gough. "We're helping in the education effort by making diabetes information available for visitors to the Hall of Fame Web site."

"I am so grateful that the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum has joined with me to raise awareness of type 2 diabetes," said Della Reese. "Since being diagnosed, I have learned that I have the power to make meaningful changes in my life by committing to following a healthy routine with my eating habits, exercise plan and medication for type 2 diabetes. I encourage others to be stronger than diabetes."

Sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, the "Della Reese: Stronger Than Diabetes" campaign is designed to help people learn to live with type 2 diabetes. A free booklet and CD are available by calling 1-866-463-6342 or by visiting www.delladiabetes.com.

Founded in 1995 as a non-profit organization by DoRohn Entertainment's president and gospel artist David Gough, the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum preserves and celebrates the work of the world's legendary and influential gospel music artists and entertainers. Among nearly 100 previous Hall of Fame inductees are the Dixie Hummingbirds, Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey, Shirley Caesar, Mississippi Mass Choir and Vickie Winans. The induction and awards celebration for this year's top nominees will be held in Detroit on Saturday, October 23, 2004.

The museum, open for tours by appointment, is housed in the studios of DoRohn Entertainment. Its collections include recordings, documents, photographs and memorabilia. Archivists and music experts are also available to assist students and researchers. Plans are now underway to build a new facility for the Hall of Fame and Museum in Detroit.

International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum
18301 West McNichols Rd.
Detroit, Michigan 48219
Phone: 313-592-0017
Fax: 313-592-8762
www.igmhf.org

Contact: Kathy Stevens, 313-592-0017
E-mail: igmhf@cs.com