Twenty-five long-distance runners who benefit from medical technology will be honored as the 2015 “Medtronic Global Heroes” when they run as a team in the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or Medtronic TC 10 Mile on Sunday, October 4, 2015.

This year’s team includes runners from six continents and 16 different countries: Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and Zambia. Each runner has a medical device to treat conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, spinal disorders, chronic pain or neurological disorders.

This year marks the program’s 10^th anniversary. Launched in 2006, the program honors people who have overcome chronic disease conditions and continue to demonstrate a passion for running, and a commitment to their communities.

“Over the years we have been so inspired by all these athletes.  Beyond running, Medtronic Global Heroes represent passionate and empowered individuals, who not only proactively manage their own health needs, but encourage, inspire and contribute to the well-being of their families, friends and communities,” said Dr. Jacob Gayle, vice president, Medtronic Philanthropy.

Over the past 10 years, Medtronic has celebrated:

• 234 runners from 34 countries

• Runners’ ages have ranged from 18 to 68 years old

• Eligible devices include pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), spinal devices, neurological devices, insulin pumps and heart valves (devices can be made by any manufacturer)

• Conditions have included heart disease (arrhythmias, valve disorders), diabetes, incontinence, essential tremors, Parkinson’s disease, and chronic pain

• Honorees receive complimentary race entry, air transportation, meals and lodging

Global Heroes participants are selected by Twin Cities In Motion, the non-profit organization that directs the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. Race entry and travel expenses are provided by Medtronic Philanthropy.

Additional information about the 2015 Medtronic Global Heroes team can be found at www.medtronic.com/globalheroes, or visit Medtronic Global Heroes Facebook page.

The 2015 Medtronic Global Heroes are:

MEDTRONIC TWIN CITIES MARATHON PARTICIPANTS

Delphine Arduini – Saint Restitut, France

Arduini has an insulin pump to manage type 1 diabetes.

Liga Arniece – Riga, Latvia

Arniece has a pacemaker to treat atrioventricular block (or AV block).

Sergei Boronin – Moscow, Russia

Boronin has an insulin pump to manage type 1 diabetes.  

Jack Clancy – Cape Town, South Africa

Clancy has an insulin pump to manage type 1 diabetes.

Sarah Escutia – Warren, Michigan

Escutia has a pacemaker to treat neurocardiogenic syncope (fainting).

Laura Gee – Nashville, Tennessee

Gee has an insulin pump to manage type 1 diabetes. 

Kenji Kamiuchi – Kyoto, Japan

Kamiuchi has an insulin pump to manage type 1 diabetes. 

Tomas Mahony – Waterford, Ireland

Mahony has an insulin pump to manage type 1 diabetes. 

Dr. Melanie Schipfer – Bad Mergentheim, Germany

Dr. Schipfer has an insulin pump to manage type 1 diabetes. 

Michael Shepard – Marlow, United Kingdom

Shepard has a pacemaker to treat a slow heart rate (bradycardia).

Silvia Verhoeven – Etten-Leur, Netherlands

Verhoeven has a pacemaker to treat 3rd degree AV block and bradycardia, a slow heartbeat.

MEDTRONIC TC 10 MILE PARTICIPANTS

Sianga Akende – Lusaka, Zambia

Akende has an artificial heart valve to treat mitral stenosis.

Dr. Luciana Alves – Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Dr. Alves has a pacemaker to treat inappropriate sinus tachycardia and bradycardia, a slow heartbeat.

Katie Bartel – New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada

Bartel has an insulin pump to manage type 1 diabetes.

Camilo Cavalcanti – Vitoria, Brazil

Cavalcanti has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to treat ventricular tachycardia, a fast heartbeat.

Nicola Derryberry Maurer – Eagan, Minnesota

Derryberry Maurer receives gastric electrical stimulation to manage symptoms of gastroparesis.

Crystal Gail Welcome – Stone Mountain, Georgia

Gail Welcome runs with a neuromodulator to manage pain.

Wen Gu – Shanghai, China

Gu has a pacemaker to treat bradycardia, a slow heartbeat.

Sally Hughes – Durham, United Kingdom

Hughes received bone and spinal therapies to help manage scoliosis.

Yoshitaa Jayabalan – Klang, Malaysia

Jayabalan has an insulin pump to treat type 1 diabetes.

Carmen Malouf Florek – Tampa, Florida

Malouf Florek has an ICD to treat cardiomyopathy.

John Morris – Afton, Minnesota

Morris has a stent to treat coronary artery disease.

Dr. Michael Shaughnessy – Solon, Ohio

Dr. Shaughnessy has a heart valve to treat a congenital bicuspid aortic valve and ascending aortic root aneurysm.

Dion Taka – Christchurch, New Zealand

Taka has a neurostimulator to help manage pain as a result of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 2. 

Yulong Zhang – Kaifeng, China

Zhang has a neurostimulator to help manage symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

About Medtronic Global Heroes

A cooperative effort between Twin Cities In Motion and Medtronic Philanthropy, the Global Heroes program recognizes runners from around the world who have a medical device to treat conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain and spinal and neurological disorders. There is no restriction on manufacturer.

About Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon

Known as the Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America™, the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon is a three-day weekend celebration of fitness that includes the Medtronic TC Family Events, TC 5K, presented by Fredrikson & Byron, TC 10K, the Medtronic TC 10 Mile, and the marathon. Twin Cities In Motion hosts the event through its mission of promoting healthy lifestyles through running events and community outreach. Visit www.TCMevents.org for more information.

About Medtronic and Medtronic Philanthropy

Medtronic plc (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the global leader in medical technology – alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world.  Medtronic Philanthropy focuses on expanding access to quality chronic disease care among underserved populations worldwide, in addition to supporting health initiatives in communities where Medtronic employees live and give.