ROANOKE, Va., Aug 18, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Advance Auto Parts, Inc., (NYSE: AAP),a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, batteries, accessories, and maintenance items, and the largest global corporatepartner of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), is proud to announce the launch of its 2011 "sneaker" sales campaign to benefit people with diabetes.This year marks Advance's 18^th consecutive year of support for JDRF in the search to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. In the past 17 years, Advance has raised more than $25 million for JDRF, including a record-breaking campaign that raised $4.8 million for diabetes research in 2010.Advance and its Team Members are tireless in their efforts to give back to the communities in which they live and work.

"Giving to charitable organizations like JDRF is part of our history, part of our culture and a reflection of our values. I'm looking forward to working with our Team Members around the country to make our 2011 campaign a big success as we accelerate the cure for diabetes," said Darren Jackson, Chief Executive Officer. "The Advance Auto Parts team is proud to be the number one national partner of JDRF in its race to cure diabetes.Supporting JDRF is another way that we are bringing our promise; Service is our best part, to life.We also appreciate the tremendous participation from both our do-it-yourself and commercial customers."

The Company's "sneaker" sales program, which will be held at more than 3,600 stores in 39 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, begins today, August 18 and runs through October 1, 2011.Customers can save the day and purchase paper "sneakers" that benefit the charity including a new $5 superhero sneaker, as well as the $1, $25 or $50 sneakers.The Advance team then displays the customer purchased paper sneakers in the store windows to show support for this worthwhile cause. Proceeds from every sneaker sold go directly to JDRF and help bring that organization one step closer to finding a cure.

"JDRF is grateful for Advance Auto Parts' generosity, initiative, and passion for over 17 years of support to help us cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes," said Jeffrey Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer of JDRF. "We are proud to be partnering with dedicated and leading businesses like Advance Auto Parts who have helped us advance research for the disease."

In addition to the retail store "sneaker" campaign, Advance is raising additional donations from fundraising events at the Company's distribution centers and store support center.Planned events include silent auctions, golf tournaments and participation in several local JDRF community walks.

ABOUT JDRF

JDRF is the worldwide leader for research to cure type 1 diabetes. It sets the global agenda for diabetes research, and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of diabetes science worldwide.

The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults, and can be fatal. Until a cure is found, people with type 1 diabetes have to test their blood sugar and give themselves insulin injections multiple times or use a pump - each day, every day of their lives. And even with that intensive care, insulin is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its potential complications, which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation.

Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.5 billion to diabetes research, including $107 million last year. More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education. For more information, please visit www.jdrf.org.

ABOUT ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.

Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts, a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. As of July 16, 2011, the Company operated 3,627 stores in 39 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Advance Auto Parts supports a variety of non-profit organizations at the corporate and local levels and encourages its Team Members to become actively involved in various community-based charitable organizations. Nationally, Advance Auto Parts is a strong supporter of United Way and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Since 1994, Advance Auto Parts has raised more than $25 million for JDRF, including a record-breaking campaign in 2010 which raised $4.8 million for diabetes research, making Advance Auto Parts JDRF's number one corporate partner.

Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities, customer services, and on-line shopping for parts and accessories can be found on the Company's web site at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.

SOURCE: Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

Advance Auto Parts
Shelly Whitaker, APR, 540-561-8452
shelly.whitaker@advanceautoparts.com
or
JDRF
Joana Casas, 212-479-7560
mcasas@jdrf.org