Marisa to be Special Guest at American Diabetes Association "Carnivale 2007"

Press Release:

Wellington, FL – February 5, 2007 – Marisa DeMato, a Wellington resident and cast member of The Apprentice Season Six, will join Chairmen Joe and Ashley Maguire as their special guest at the American Diabetes Association Carnivale 2007 – Australian Outback.

DeMato is a lawyer with Lerach Coughlin, a national law firm with offices in Boca Raton and plays a key role in the firm's investment outreach program, regularly meeting with public and private pension funds, retirement systems and other institutional investors to educate them about the firm's proprietary portfolio monitoring program. She has lived in Wellington since she was 13. Her aspirations to run for political office and the sense of a challenge spurred her involvement with The Apprentice.

“It was a very exciting process, from the tryout in Tampa to making it to the final 50 and going to Los Angeles. I don’t think anyone really tries out thinking they’re going to get on the show. It’s a one-in-a-million shot, and when it happens, it’s a great feeling,” she explained.

She continued, “For me, I always like taking up new challenges, and I thought this would be a great way for me to get my name out there. I earned the nickname ‘The Politico,’ and my friends call me the ‘Senator.’ It’s great, short of making it to the end, and I got everything out of it I wanted. It was good practice for me to see just a little bit of what it would be like to step foot in the political arena. If I can use my work to do good things and contribute and give back, then I’m really happy to do that.”

Through her participation with the diabetes benefit, DeMato said she hopes she can bring attention to the issues surrounding the deadly disease that affects more than 20 million Americans. She added that The Apprentice has given her a boost into the public eye, providing a platform for her to raise awareness for diabetes issues and more.

“Marisa has great passion for whatever project that she takes on, so Ashley and I are very grateful for her interest in our cause. It is that passion, along with Marisa’s strong interest in community service, that will help make Carnivale 2007 a huge success,” commented Mr. Maguire.

Also in attendance at Carnivale 2007 will be Bethlene Pancoast, Miss New York 2006, who is serving as National Goodwill Ambassador for the event.

For more information about the American Diabetes Association Carnivale 2007, please contact Martha Lagarde at 1-888-342-2382, extension 3119, or mlagarde@diabetes.org.

The American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Carnivale 2007, Australian Outback, Fast Facts

When: Friday, March 2, 2007, at 6:30 p.m.

Where: The International Polo Club Palm Beach, Wellington, FL

What: The event is held to support and raise financial assistance for the American Diabetes Association, the leading diabetes research organization, advocacy group and informational source for the cure of and prevention of diabetes and its related health problems.

Highlights: The theme of the event is Carnivale, Australian Outback, and is guaranteed to be anything but a “typical charity fundraiser.” As a cocktail-attire event, it will feature a live band, open bar, silent and live auctions and a variety of “Down Under” surprises.

Who: Wellington residents Joe and Ashley Maguire are the event chairs. Mr. Maguire is the president of The Rosen Group Inc., a national real estate development and commercial property management firm based in New York, NY, with regional offices in Boca Raton, FL. Melissa Cohn, president of Manhattan Mortgage Company and avid equestrian, is the honorary chairwoman.

Why: Diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans and almost 21 percent of all Americans over the age of 60. About one-third of the children born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetimes, and the number of Americans with diabetes has increased by 14 percent in the past two years. Government spending for research and education about diabetes has been cut in recent years, and the ADA is the leading voluntary health organization providing research, information and advocacy for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

General Information: Anyone is welcome to attend and sponsorships are still available. For more information or to make a donation, please contact Martha Lagarde at 1-888-342-2382, extension 3119, or mlagarde@diabetes.org.