Georgia Teenager Raising Funds for Duschenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Named National Hero Award Semifinalist

National vote underway for the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards; $100,000 charitable contributions awarded to finalists; winner receives Volvo car for life

40 Semi-Finalists Selected; Vote at www.volvoforlifeawards.com

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 15 -- Darius Weems is no ordinary 17-year old. He has lived with Duschenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) since childhood and now works to raise money for DMD research through a documentary about his recent "trip of a lifetime." The film chronicles his journey across America, his first time ever outside of Georgia. Weems has been identified as one of the nation's top 40 heroes and is now in the running to be named "America's Greatest Hometown Hero" in the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards -- an annual, nationwide search for real-life heroes across America.

Beginning today, the American public can visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/ and vote for Weems. This democratic vote will decide the program finalists in Volvo's hero search. Three winning heroes will receive $100,000 for their charities. One extraordinary winner will receive a new Volvo car every three years for life.

DMD, a condition with a one hundred percent fatality rate, causes respiratory failure, heart failure and debilitating orthopedic complications. DMD typically takes the lives of young people in their late teens or early twenties. Weems' older brother, who also suffered from DMD, died at the age of 19. Until the age of 15, Weems had never left his hometown of Athens, Ga. Confined to a wheelchair, traveling was not easy for him. Not until watching an episode of the popular MTV show, "Pimp My Ride," did he really consider the idea of taking a trip.

Weems wanted to extravagantly accessorize his own wheelchair, just as the celebrities on the show "pimped out" their favorite cars with stereo systems, video game players and hubcap spinners.

The result was "Darius Goes West," a documentary film that Weems and his friends made as they traveled across the country to Los Angeles in a borrowed RV. Beginning at a summer camp for disabled children in Georgia, the film follows Weems as he explores America. Though "Pimp My Ride" ultimately declined to accessorize Weems' wheelchair, a Los Angeles body shop outfitted his chair with several flashy accessories. "Darius Goes West" has run in 24 film festivals, garnered an incredible amount of critical praise and raised more than $750,000 so far for the fight against DMD. To order a DVD of "Darius Goes West," visit http://www.dariusgoeswest.com/.

"My trip out West was, in some ways, a new beginning for me," Weems said. "It is my goal to raise as much money for DMD research as possible. Finding a cure is achievable and I want to help make it a reality for people in the future."

Since 2002, Volvo Cars of North America has identified more than 18,000 everyday heroes in its annual Volvo for life Awards, and has contributed millions of dollars to their causes.

"Once again, Volvo is inviting America itself to serve as one of the Volvo for life Awards judges," said Anne Belec, president and chief executive officer of Volvo Cars of North America. "Last year we had an overwhelming response with more than 700,000 votes tallied. This year's heroes are top notch. It will be tough to narrow the field down and pick winners, but Volvo is confident that America is up to the challenge. "

In the end, every vote counts. Ten heroes have been selected in the categories of Safety, Quality of Life, Environment and the Butterfly Award, Volvo's youth category. The voting period will determine three finalists in each category. Visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/ and learn more about what the top 40 hometown heroes are doing to make the world a better place now and in the future. Most importantly, support Weems with your vote and help bring more funding to your community.

Volvo Cars of North America leads the national initiative, honoring and rewarding local heroes with financial contributions each year. This year, Volvo doubled the charitable donation amount given to the top three winners. One top hero in each of the categories of Safety, Quality of Life and Environment will receive $100,000 for their charities; two runners-up in each category will receive $25,000. One extraordinary winner will go on to receive the title "America's Greatest Hometown Hero," and with it, a new Volvo car every three years for life.

A fourth Volvo for life Awards category is up for grabs this year -- but only America's kids can reach it. Volvo is elevating its annual Butterfly Award to its own youth hero category -- with a $25,000 prize for the winner and $10,000 to two runners up.

When the voting period ends January 7, 2008, a panel of distinguished judges will select one winner in each of the four categories. A grand award winner, selected from the Safety, Quality of Life and Environment categories, will be named "America's Greatest Hometown Hero" and presented with a new Volvo car every three years for the rest of his or her life at the annual Volvo for life Awards Ceremony in New York City, March 19, 2008.

To learn more, or to vote for your favorite hero, visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/. A Spanish version of the site can also be accessed at this address.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Media: For photos and more information on the Volvo for life Awards visit http://www.volvocars-pr.com.