ITASCA, IL- Emkay received the 2009 Ron Santo Walk Cure to Diabetes Corporate Team Cup for the most raised funding in the Chicago-based Busse Woods walk from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

"We always drove to be the top corporate fundraiser of the walk, and be in the company of other elite and Fortune 500 companies who typically earn that spot. We never imagined that we could achieve the goal in only our 4^th year of JDRF fundraising," stated Les Lynott, Emkay's JDRF coordinator.

Greg Tepas, Emkay president and CEO, was on hand with several walk captains to receive the award. Tepas stated, "Emkay feels it is extremely important to give back to the community by sharing some of our success toward good causes. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S., and we are hopeful the money we raised brings us one step closer to finding a cure for diabetes. The generosity of our employees and other partners was incredible this year, particularly in this economic time."

Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.4 billion to diabetes research, including $101 million in fiscal-year 2009. In 2009, JDRF funded research projects in 22 countries throughout the world, including more than 40 human clinical trials. JDRF's mission is constant, to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. The annual Walk to Cure draws people together for a worthy cause, raising money to help find a cure for diabetes.

"Emkay is proud to have partnered with such a dedicated charity. We hope that the dollars raised someday find a cure for the disease and improve the lives of our neighbors stricken with the disease," according to Emkay.