Diabetes Month is Here!
It’s November, party people, and that means it’s officially National Diabetes Month! What’s that you say? You don’t need a “National” sponsorship behind this disease because EVERY DAY is Diabetes Day for you? Yes, I agree - those that live with diabetes don’t need any more “awareness” about this disease because we’re pretty doggone aware of it every day of our lives. But National Diabetes Month, and specifically World Diabetes Day, which is November 14th are about showing the world that diabetes is serious, it demands our research dollars, and that there are far too many people living without even basic diabetes supplies in this world.
And for that last part, there’s good news: there’s something you can do (and if you have diabetes, you’re already doing this pretty darn often). You can participate in this year’s Big Blue Test and help the people with diabetes most in need. Here’s what it’s all about, per the Diabetes Hands Foundation’s Press release:
The Big Blue Test, a diabetes awareness program started by the nonprofit Diabetes Hands Foundation, takes place every November leading up to World Diabetes Day on Nov. 14. The campaign reinforces the importance of exercise in managing diabetes. People with diabetes are encouraged to do the Big Blue Test any day between November 1 and November 14 at midnight Pacific Time, by testing their blood sugar, getting active in any way for 14 minutes, testing again, and sharing the results online at bigbluetest.org.
In 2010, more than 2,000 people did the Big Blue Test. Over 120,000 people watched the Big Blue Test video. Roche Diabetes Care, makers of ACCU-CHEK® diabetes products and services, funded the production of the video and helped it go viral by donating 75 cents for each of the first 100,000 views, resulting in total donation of $75,000. The donation provided insulin and supplies to more than 2,000 people with diabetes in developing countries.
This year, in connection with the number of people that do the Big Blue Test, another donation from Roche Diabetes Care will benefit more than 8,000 people with diabetes in need. Five nonprofit organizations focused on helping underserved areas with a high incidence of diabetes in the United States will each receive $10,000, while $25,000 will go to support the work in Latin America by the International Diabetes Federation’s Life for a Child Programme.
“Exercise to help you - and help someone who really needs it get life-saving diabetes supplies,” said Manny Hernandez, President of the Diabetes Hands Foundation. “And join us in spreading the word so we can help 7,999 more!”
One of the recipients of the Big Blue Test grants will be Moundville Medical Clinic in Alabama. The clinic provides health services to underserved populations in rural Hale County, Alabama. In Hale County, the prevalence of diabetes runs high, while residents also face illiteracy, significant financial hardship, lack of transportation, and destruction left by 2011’s tornadoes.
“The Big Blue Test grant will enable us to provide free lab tests and individualized clinical pharmacy diabetes education and nutritional counseling to underserved people, including those impacted by the tornadoes,” said Heather Whitley, PharmD, BCPS, CDE, and director of the clinic’s diabetes program.
Visit BigBlueTest.org before midnight Pacific Time, November 14, 2011 to do the Big Blue Test, share the experience and help touch the lives of 8,000 people with diabetes in need!
And all just by checking your BGs!
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