RIDGEFIELD, Conn. and
INDIANAPOLIS, May 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning
actress Angela Bassett, along with
11 leading patient and professional organizations, is joining
For Your SweetHeart™: Where diabetes and heart disease meet
— a nationwide movement to raise awareness of the critical
link between type 2 diabetes and heart disease, the number one
killer of people with type 2 diabetes. Bassett, known for her
portrayal of legendary singer Tina
Turner in What's Love Got to Do With It and role in
American Horror Story, is spreading this important message
in remembrance of her mom, who had type 2 diabetes and died of
heart disease. Along with For Your SweetHeart sponsors
Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), Bassett
is urging those with type 2 diabetes to know their risk of heart
disease, for the sake of their health and the people they cherish
the most.
Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8064451-boehringer-lilly-angela-bassett-for-your-sweetheart/
"Losing my mom was a wake-up call to start talking about the
risk of heart disease with my family members who also have type 2
diabetes, like my uncle Ralph," said Bassett. "A lot of people
don't know that if you have type 2 diabetes you are at an increased
risk for heart disease. For my mom, this knowledge came too late,
and that's why I joined For Your SweetHeart. I've had a
heart-to-heart with my uncle about his risk and want to encourage
those who have loved ones with type 2 diabetes to do the same, so
they can understand their risk and talk to their doctor about
taking action."
Signing Up to Receive More Information Raises Money for
Leading Patient Advocacy Organizations
Recognizing the
importance of reducing the risk of heart disease among people with
diabetes, 11 leading patient and professional organizations have
joined Bassett in the For Your SweetHeart movement. By
signing up at ForYourSweetHeart.com to receive more information
about type 2 diabetes and heart disease, individuals will not only
empower themselves but also help fund educational efforts. For
every individual who signs up, Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly will
donate $1 – up to $25,000 – to split equally among the
participating patient advocacy organizations to support efforts for
people living with diabetes and heart disease every day.
Individuals will receive tips, resources and product
information.
"Through the For Your SweetHeart donation, we encourage
people to sign up to learn more about the risk of heart disease
while also giving back to advocacy organizations that are on the
frontlines of educating and supporting people with type 2 diabetes
and heart disease, along with their loved ones," said Jean-Michel Boers, president, Human Pharma,
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "Nearly 30 million
people are living with diabetes in the U.S., and many of them do
not know they are at an increased risk of experiencing
heart-related complications. It's critical to have Angela Bassett and groups like these join our
movement to reach the millions of Americans impacted by this public
health crisis."
For Your SweetHeart launched in November 2016 following a survey that found more
than half (52 percent) of adults with type 2 diabetes do not
understand they are at an increased risk for heart disease and
related life-threatening events, like heart attack, stroke or even
death. To bridge this knowledge gap and raise awareness about this
link, the campaign encourages people to learn about their risk
through the Heart You Quiz and other resources on
ForYourSweetHeart.com and to talk to their healthcare
providers.
"People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to
develop cardiovascular disease than people without diabetes. Lilly
and Boehringer Ingelheim are committed to educating the public
about this risk and encouraging people with type 2 diabetes to talk
to their healthcare provider and take action," said Mike Mason, vice president, U.S., Lilly
Diabetes. "By joining For Your SweetHeart, Angela Bassett and 11 patient and professional
groups are adding to the groundswell of support we've received from
the diabetes community, who understands the importance of
increasing awareness and education about the impact of heart
disease on this population."
About For Your SweetHeart: Where diabetes and heart
disease meet
For Your SweetHeart is a
nationwide movement to raise awareness of the link between type 2
diabetes and heart disease and to encourage people with type 2
diabetes to know their heart disease risk and speak to their
healthcare provider, for the sake of their health and the people
they cherish the most. Learn more about For Your SweetHeart,
take and share the Heart You Quiz and sign up for
more information at ForYourSweetHeart.com. Spread the word, because
by having a heart, you might just save others.
For Your SweetHeart was developed and sponsored by
Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company. Elements of the
campaign, including the Heart You Quiz, were reviewed and
validated by a steering committee of leading cardiologists and
endocrinologists and third-party groups.
Participating medical experts:
- Matthew Budoff, M.D.,
professor of medicine, UCLA, Endowed
Chair of Preventive Cardiology, program director, Division of
Cardiology, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute
- Ty J. Gluckman, M.D., FACC,
FAHA, medical director, Clinical Transformation, Providence
Heart and Vascular Institute, Portland,
Oregon
- Jennifer Green, M.D.,
endocrinologist and associate professor of medicine, Duke University Division of Endocrinology and Duke
Clinical Research Institute
- Leigh Perreault, M.D.,
associate professor of medicine, Division of Endocrinology,
Metabolism and Diabetes, Affiliate Center for Global Health,
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical
Campus, associate professor of epidemiology, Colorado School of
Public Health
- Anne Peters, M.D.,
director, USC Clinical Diabetes
Program, professor, Keck School of Medicine of USC
- Karol E. Watson, M.D., Ph.D.,
FACC, professor of medicine/cardiology, co-director, UCLA
Program in Preventive Cardiology, director, UCLA Barbra Streisand
Women's Heart Health Program
Participating patient and professional organizations:
- American Diabetes Association: www.diabetes.org
- American Society for Preventive Cardiology:
www.aspconline.org
- Diabetes Hands Foundation: www.diabeteshandsfoundation.org
- DiabetesSisters: www.diabetessisters.org
- The diaTribe Foundation: www.diatribe.org/foundation
- Endocrine Society: www.hormone.org
- Healthy Women: www.healthywomen.org
- Hispanic Federation: www.hispanicfederation.org
- Mended Hearts: www.mendedhearts.org
- Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association: www.pcna.net
- WomenHeart: www.womenheart.org
About Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease
Approximately 29 million Americans and an estimated 415 million
people worldwide have diabetes, and nearly 28 percent of Americans
with diabetes—totaling eight million people—are undiagnosed. In the
U.S., approximately 12 percent of those aged 20 and older have
diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type, accounting for
an estimated 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed adult diabetes cases
in the U.S. Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the
body does not properly produce or use the hormone insulin.
Due to the complications associated with diabetes, such as high
blood sugar, high blood pressure and obesity, cardiovascular
disease is a major complication and the leading cause of death
associated with diabetes. People with diabetes are two to four
times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than people
without diabetes. Approximately 50 percent of deaths in
people with type 2 diabetes worldwide and approximately two-thirds
of deaths in people with type 2 diabetes in the U.S. are caused by
cardiovascular disease. In the U.S., healthcare costs for managing
cardiovascular conditions in patients with diabetes totaled more
than $23 billion in 2012.
Having diabetes can shorten a person's lifespan by as much as
six years compared with someone without diabetes.* And having both
diabetes and a history of heart attack or stroke can shorten a
person's lifespan by as much as 12 years compared with someone
without these conditions.**
* Based on having a history of diabetes at age 60.
** Based on having a history of diabetes and heart attack or stroke
at age 60.
Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company
In
January 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim
and Eli Lilly and Company announced an alliance in diabetes that
centers on compounds representing several of the largest diabetes
treatment classes. This alliance leverages the strengths of two of
the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. By joining forces,
the companies demonstrate commitment in the care of patients with
diabetes and stand together to focus on patient needs. Find out
more about the alliance at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com or
www.lilly.com.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary
of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation.
Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the world's top 20 pharmaceutical
companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, the company operates globally with
approximately 50,000 employees. Since its founding in 1885, the
company has remained family-owned and today creates value through
innovation for three business areas including human
pharmaceuticals, animal health and biopharmaceutical contract
manufacturing.
Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving lives and
providing valuable services and support to patients and their
families. Our employees create and engage in programs that
strengthen our communities. Please visit our website to learn more
about how we make more health for more people through our Corporate
Social Responsibility initiatives.
In 2016, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about
$17.6 billion (15.9 billion euros). R&D expenditure
corresponds to 19.6 percent of its net sales.
For more information please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.us,
or follow us on Twitter @BoehringerUS.
About Lilly Diabetes
Lilly has been a global leader in
diabetes care since 1923, when we introduced the world's first
commercial insulin. Today we are building upon this heritage by
working to meet the diverse needs of people with diabetes and those
who care for them. Through research and collaboration, a wide range
of therapies and a continued determination to provide real
solutions—from medicines to support programs and more—we strive to
make life better for all those affected by diabetes around the
world. For more information, visit www.lillydiabetes.com.
About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly is a global
healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life
better for people around the world. We were founded more than a
century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines
that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in
all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover
and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve
the understanding and management of disease, and give back to
communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. To learn more
about Lilly, please visit us at www.lilly.com and
www.lilly.com/newsroom/social-channels.
For Your SweetHeart™ is a registered trademark of
Boehringer Ingelheim.
CR-LLY
PC-02814
CONTACT:
Jennifer
Forsyth
Director, Public Relations
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Email: jennifer.forsyth@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Phone: (203) 791-5889
Molly
McCully
Communications Manager
Lilly Diabetes
Email: mccully_molly@lilly.com
Phone: (317) 478-5423
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SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company