BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- From Silicon Valley to Washington, D.C., Lockheed Martin  [NYSE: LMT] teams pedaled in 32 Tour de Cure rides across the country, raising more than $477,000 for the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Since 2008, Lockheed Martin employees have been an integral part of the ADA Tour de Cure. Nearly 1,100 Lockheed Martin employees and family members participated in the 2014 rides. The top fundraising team was the Silicon Valley Riders, raising nearly $129,000 with 179 riders, followed by teams in Orlando, Florida, Longmont, Colorado, Fort Worth, Texas, and Long Beach, California, which each raised more than $30,000.

"The American Diabetes Association and all people affected by diabetes are truly grateful for the efforts and the results of the Lockheed Martin Tour de Cure teams throughout the country," said Richard Alejandro, executive director of the American Diabetes Association in San Jose, Calif.

"In the last seven years, the Lockheed Martin teams, led by Marshall Case, have raised well over $1 million and now engage over 1,000 employees each year. This tremendous effort goes a long way in supporting our efforts to improve the lives of nearly 30 million Americans living with diabetes every day."

Every mile cycled and dollar raised supports the ADA's research, information and advocacy efforts to increase diabetes awareness and improve the lives of those affected with this potentially life-threatening disease.

"Whether riding for a family member or colleague with diabetes or working toward a personal health goal, our employees rode to make a difference for the millions of Americans living with the disease," said Marshall Case, vice president of Infrastructure Services, who personally engaged other Lockheed Martin locations to grow the Corporation's Tour de Cure support to a national level. "One out of 11 adults has diabetes, and many are unaware of their condition. I'm proud of our employees for stepping up to raise awareness and spread a broader message on the importance of health and wellness."

There were also numerous "Red Riders"— riders living with diabetes—on the Lockheed Martin team. For Red Rider Les Wolf, a quality engineer in Denver, Colorado, completing his first 50K course in the Tour de Cure Colorado was one more step on his journey to a healthier lifestyle.

"I was diagnosed with type II diabetes in 1997 and was put on three medications to help control my condition," said Wolf. "About two years ago, I decided I wanted to get off all of my diabetes medications and made a conscious effort to improve my own wellbeing. I'm proud to say that through eating right and moving more, I am off all but one of my diabetes medications and feel better than ever."

Participation in the ADA Tour de Cure is a key component of Lockheed Martin's Accelerating a Better You health and wellness efforts and represents a tradition of employee volunteerism and community engagement, which have long been cornerstones of the Corporation and its values.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 113,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's net sales for 2013 were $45.4 billion.

Lockheed Martin Media Contacts:

Jill Valdez, (303) 977-9191, jill.a.valdez@lmco.com

Lauren Rohde, (408) 756-4726, lauren.rohde@lmco.com

For additional information, visit our website:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com 
http://tour.diabetes.org/ 

SOURCE Lockheed Martin