Bret Michaels tapped for Stop Diabetes campaign

ALEXANDRIA, Va. Rock star and winner of NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice," Bret Michaels, has joined the American Diabetes Association's Stop Diabetes awareness campaign.

Michaels, lead singer of the band Poison, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes -- also referred to as juvenile diabetes -- when he was 6 years old. Michaels will be featured in a public service announcement campaign that he helped produce for the association, which will celebrate American Diabetes Month in November. Prior to becoming the face of the Stop Diabetes campaign, Michaels raised more than $300,000 for the association while on "Celebrity Apprentice," and continues to support its efforts by working with association volunteers and staff throughout his 2010 tour.

“It is an honor to once again be working with the American Diabetes Association,” Michaels said. “As someone with Type 1 diabetes, I know how difficult it can be to live with this disease and how important it is to raise awareness so that we can eventually put a stop to diabetes. I hope everyone will join me in the movement to Stop Diabetes this November.”

Nearly 24 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. Diabetes contributes to the deaths of more than 230,000 Americans each year.