NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National
Basketball Association (NBA), the Women's National Basketball
Association (WNBA) and the NBA Development League (NBA D-League),
in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association and Sanofi
US, today tipped off the second year of the Dribble to Stop
Diabetes campaign, a national multimedia campaign designed to
encourage fans to live an active, healthy lifestyle and raise
awareness about diabetes prevention, management and the potentially
serious health complications that can be associated with the
disease.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120126/NY41919LOGO
)
Following a successful inaugural year, the 2012 Dribble to
Stop Diabetes campaign is tipping off in conjunction with the
annual NBA FIT Live Healthy Week (Jan.
25-Feb. 2) and features assists from campaign ambassadors
Carlos Boozer of the Chicago Bulls,
Tamika Catchings of the Indiana
Fever, NBA Legend Bob Lanier, and New Jersey Nets head coach
Avery Johnson. The ambassadors will
appear in a nationally broadcast public service announcement that
will debut on Thursday, January 26,
2012. In addition, Dribble to Stop Diabetes will be
part of NBA All-Star Jam Session in Orlando Feb.
23-26, hosting NBA/WNBA/D-League FIT clinics and other
health and wellness activities to help fans get active and provide
them with information on diabetes prevention and management.
As part of the campaign, NBA, WNBA and NBA D-League teams will
host Dribble to Stop Diabetes in-arena nights featuring
educational materials for fans, on-court activation and PSAs.
Dribble to Stop Diabetes clinics will also take place during
the 2012 WNBA Finals.
"As a professional basketball player and a father, I know how
important it is to take care of your health," said Boozer. "Living
a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a proper diet and
getting regular exercise, is important for those at risk of
developing diabetes and those who already have it. Dribble to
Stop Diabetes will continue to raise awareness about the
disease and will provide fans with important information to help
themselves and their families."
"Seventy-nine million, or one in three American adults, have
prediabetes, which puts them at high risk for developing type 2
diabetes. Diabetes is called a 'silent killer' because a quarter of
those with the disease, or 7 million, do not know they have it. We
are excited to continue this collaboration and to raise awareness
to help us Stop Diabetes®," said Geralyn
Spollett, MSN, ANP-CS. CDE, President, Health Care &
Education, American Diabetes Association.
"Sanofi is proud of the awareness we were able to bring to
diabetes prevention and management through the first year of the
Dribble to Stop Diabetes program," said Dennis Urbaniak, Vice President, Head of U.S.
Diabetes, Sanofi US. "It is estimated that nearly 26 million
Americans have diabetes and that this number is rising. That is why
we look forward to reaching even more people through our continued
partnership with the NBA, WNBA, NBA D-League and the American
Diabetes Association."
Dribble to Stop Diabetes will also continue to educate
fans and encourage them to discuss diabetes with their health care
providers via the campaign website
www.dribbletostopdiabetes.com.
"Dribble to Stop Diabetes is an important part of our
ongoing efforts through the NBA/WNBA FIT program to promote a
healthy lifestyle for fans of all ages," said NBA Executive Vice
President, Social Responsibility & Player Programs Kathy
Behrens. "We are excited to tip off the campaign's second year in
collaboration with the American Diabetes Association and Sanofi US
and to provide continued support in the fight against
diabetes."
About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to stop
diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those
affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent,
cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of
communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives
voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in
1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve
the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information
please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES
(1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both
these sources is available in English and Spanish.
About Sanofi US
Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers,
develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients'
needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with
seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines,
innovative drugs, rare diseases, consumer healthcare, emerging
markets and animal health. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
Sanofi is the holding company of a consolidated group of
subsidiaries and operates in the United
States as Sanofi US, also referred to as Sanofi-aventis U.S.
LLC. For more information on Sanofi US, please visit
http://www.sanofi.us or call 1-800-981-2491.
About NBA/WNBA FIT
NBA/WNBA FIT is the league's comprehensive health and wellness
program that encourages physical activity and healthy living for
children and families. Through a nationwide network of more
than 1,000 community-based organizations, NBA/WNBA FIT brings
programs and events to more than 2 million children, adults, and
families annually. NBA/WNBA FIT also collaborates with the
Let's Move! campaign, which first lady Michelle Obama established to provide
communities nationwide with resources to help kids eat healthy and
get active. In partnership with the American College of
Sports Medicine and Nemours' KidsHealth.org, NBA/WNBA FIT also
provides health and fitness information to children and families
through newsletters, social media, and interactive online content
at NBA.com/nbafit.
CONTACT:
Madeline Wehle Crandall,
NBA Communications, (212) 407-8284 or mcrandall@nba.com
Susan Brooks, Sanofi US
Communications, (908) 981-6566 or susan.brooks@sanofi.com
Christine Feheley, American Diabetes
Association Communications, (703) 299-4374 or cfeheley@diabetes.org
US.GLU.12.01.054
SOURCE Sanofi US