LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - July 21, 2010) -  The Joe Toucan Diabetes Project, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on researching, producing, and developing empowering projects, supplies and accessories for children and young adults living with diabetes, is happy to announce that it will publicly unveil its first product, the Joe Toucan doll, at the American Association of Diabetes Educators conference in San Antonio, Texas August 4-7, 2010. The American Diabetes Association has acted in an advisory role for development of the doll which was introduced at the American Diabetes Association's Father of the Year awards in Los Angeles in June 2010. The Joe Toucan Diabetes Project's CEO Lawrence Goldfarb was given this year's award and Joe Toucan President Rocky Lang was awarded in 2009, both for their work on the Joe Toucan doll.

Lang began developing the Joe Toucan doll in 2003 and brought on Goldfarb as a partner in the project in 2008. "There is no other product like this," said Lang. Lang, whose own child was diagnosed with type one diabetes, felt that there needed to be a non threatening training tool that would be a bridge between parent, child and the health care team. "Joe will come with miniature diabetes supplies. We will tell the child, 'You take good care of Joe, and mom, dad and your doctor will take good care of you.'" In addition to providing a comforting presence during the initial diagnosis, Joe will assist children in learning about insulin delivery, carbohydrate counting and blood glucose testing.

"We are excited to be able to offer the Joe Toucan doll to the public for the first time at the American Association of Diabetes Educators conference this year in San Antonio," said Goldfarb. "Joe has been in the works for seven years and I am glad I could help Rocky to finally bring this product to the public."

The Joe Toucan Diabetes Project's advisory board consists of luminaries such as Billie Jean King, Los Angeles Laker Adam Morrison and doctors, diabetic educators and executives from the diabetes community. 

About the Joe Toucan Diabetes Project
The Joe Toucan Diabetes Project focuses on researching, producing, and developing empowering projects, supplies and accessories for both children and young adults living with diabetes. Empowerment is the key to realizing that any dream is possible, any mountain can be climbed as long as diabetes is managed. The Joe Toucan Diabetes Project is based on the principle that every child can live their life to their fullest potential and is dedicated to helping children, teens and young adults fulfill their dreams by giving them the tools that will make their lives easier. For more information about the Joe Toucan Diabetes Project, please visit http://www.joetoucandiabetesproject.org