New Campaign Aims to Inspire People with Diabetes to Experience 'Diabetes Freedom'
The makers of Glucerna today launched a new campaign to encourage the 18 million Americans living with diabetes to experience "diabetes freedom" and offer them a new outlook to manage the disease. Grammy Award-winner Patti LaBelle, living with type 2 diabetes, will serve as the campaign's spokesperson. The contest is sponsored by Abbott Laboratories' Ross Products Division, makers of Glucerna Bars and Shakes for people with diabetes.
The program kicks off with a nationwide contest to identify people who are successfully managing their diabetes - and who can serve as role models to inspire others.
The contest, which officially launches July 1 and ends September 20, invites people with diabetes to answer the question, "What does diabetes freedom mean to you?" Five winners will receive the opportunity to share their stories of successfully managing their condition through a national education campaign, in partnership with Patti LaBelle. Additionally, the grand prize winner, four first prize winners and 20 runners-up will each receive a 12-month supply of Glucerna Bars and Shakes to help them continue achieving diabetes control.
"When I was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 10 years ago, I often felt out of control and limited by all of the restrictions," said LaBelle, who turned 60 in May and lost her mother, grandmother and aunt to diabetes.
"Instead of worrying about it, I worked with my doctor to commit to an action plan for managing my diabetes, which includes proper nutrition and exercise. With a new outlook and a diabetes action plan in place, I began to embrace the freedom to live life to its fullest. I hope this campaign will inspire people with diabetes to experience this same type of freedom."
Contest entrants will be asked to submit a 250-500 word essay that tells an inspiring story about how they manage their diabetes to experience diabetes freedom. The panel of judges will look for personal stories illustrating how people with diabetes have learned to stay in control on a day-to-day basis - and how they find joy in their lives this change has positively affected their lives as a result.
The judges also will consider entrants who are actively working to better manage their disease and who can share a vision for how they will feel when they reach their diabetes control goals.
Stories should share details about what diabetes control and management allows entrants to do, from enrolling in a Pilates exercise class to going on a seven-day cruise to working in the backyard garden to sewing uniforms for a grandson's Little League team.
The grand prize winner will receive a trip to meet LaBelle and see her in concert and will join the four first prize winners as guests of honor at a special Diabetes Freedom Day event in October, where Americans from coast to coast will join together to pledge their commitment to a diabetes action plan.
There, the winners all will have the chance to tell their stories and inspire the millions of people striving to control their diabetes and accomplish their personal goals.
"Sponsoring this contest is an example of our dedication to advancing the quality of life for people with diabetes," said Gary McCullough, senior vice president, Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories.
"We know there are tremendous success stories out there about people who are living well, and we want to hear them to provide hope and encouragement to the 18 million Americans with diabetes and another 20 million people who are at risk for the condition."
According to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. In 2002, the disease cost more than $132 billion in medical expenditures and lost productivity.
Along with this startling impact on the nation, diabetes can cause serious complications for individuals. People with diabetes are at elevated risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputation, among other risks. But many of these risks can be reduced through successful disease management.
Glucerna Shakes, Glucerna Weight Loss Shakes, Glucerna Snack Bars and Glucerna Meal Bars offer a nutritional alternative for people with diabetes looking for easy, worry-free options as part of a meal, as snacks, or as delicious meal replacements. Glucerna products are clinically shown to help manage blood sugar levels using unique blends of slowly digested carbohydrates. Glucerna products are for use under medical supervision in the dietary management of diabetes. For more information about Glucerna products, visit www.glucerna.com.
For more information about the contest, or to obtain an entry form and the official contest rules, visit http://www.diabetesfreedom.com or http://www.glucerna.com, or call 1-800-986-8935.
About Patti LaBelle
Patti LaBelle is a legendary singer, songwriter, actress, author, entrepreneur and humanitarian, who has been blazing trails in the entertainment business for over four decades. Patti has recorded nearly 50 albums as a soloist and as a member of the Bluebelles and later LaBelle, garnering honors which include two Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, seven NAACP Image Awards, three Emmy nominations, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and three honorary doctorate degrees. She stars in a new television series, "Living It Up With Patti LaBelle," on the TV One Network, is the author of four books, including three New York Times bestsellers and recently launched a women's clothing line available through HSN and www.HSN.com. Patti continues to draw sold-out crowds and on May 4, 2004 she released Timeless Journey, her first studio album in over four years, on Def Soul Classics.
Abbott's Ross Products Division
As a world leader in nutrition, the Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories is committed to helping people of all ages meet their nutritional needs. Abbott pioneered the market for adult nutritionals more than three decades ago. Today, the family of adult nutritional products includes Ensure®, Glucerna® and ZonePerfect®. For more information about Abbott's Ross Products Division, visit http://www.ross.com.
Abbott Laboratories is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 55,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.
Noua campanie pentru a Inspiratie Obiective Oamenii cu diabet zaharat de experienta pentru a-Diabet Libertate " - New Campaign Aims to Inspire People with Diabetes to Experience 'Diabetes Freedom' - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate