Novo Nordisk Partners with Children with Diabetes, Inc. to Help Newly Diagnosed Children with Type 1 Diabetes

ORLANDO, Fla., July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care, and the advocacy organization Children with Diabetes, Inc. (CWD) today announced a two-year partnership to develop and distribute resources that will help newly diagnosed children with type 1 diabetes adjust to their new lifestyle. Every year, approximately 15,600 children and adolescents in the United States are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a condition that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin.

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As part of this partnership, Novo Nordisk and CWD have developed a type 1 diabetes “starter kit” featuring helpful tools, including a diabetes 101 booklet, savings offers and patient support videos. The contents for the kit were created directly from real-time feedback received from patients with type 1 diabetes who are CWD members. Novo Nordisk and CWD are producing approximately 7,000 kits, which patients can order via a business reply card at their doctor’s office. Additionally the online components of the kit, including a fun, interactive Carb-to-Carb Matchup Game, can be viewed at www.novologreach.com.  

"We are delighted to partner with Novo Nordisk and develop this valuable resource that will provide information directly to families living with type 1 diabetes," said Children with Diabetes founder Jeff Hitchcock. "This partnership is about filling an unmet need and helping families manage type 1 diabetes, which has been a goal of CWD since its inception."

The kits will be unveiled this week during a special session at the annual CWD Friends for Life International Conference in Orlando, Florida. Former NFL player Kendall Simmons and Ironman triathlete Jay Hewitt will be in attendance to introduce the kits and share their personal experiences with type 1 diabetes. Both athletes will also make appearances at the Novo Nordisk booth to sign autographs and take photos with conference attendees.

"Learning how to manage diabetes right after diagnosis can be extremely challenging for anyone, but especially for children," said Kendall Simmons. "I am hopeful that these resources will help newly diagnosed children and their families learn how to work together to manage their diabetes."  

For the past 10 years, Novo Nordisk has supported CWD's Friends for Life annual conference, devoted to the most current information in diabetes care. The conference is well-attended by thought-leaders, children with diabetes and their families from around the world.

"As long-time partners of Children with Diabetes, Novo Nordisk is very proud to collaborate on another significant endeavor," said George McAvoy, Vice President, NovoLog® Marketing. "We are committed to improving the lives of people with diabetes, and this partnership is a great way to reinforce that commitment."

About NovoLog® (insulin aspart [rDNA origin] injection)

Indications and Usage:

NovoLog® is a man-made insulin that is used to control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes mellitus.

Important Safety Information:

Do not take NovoLog® if your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia) or if you are allergic to anything in NovoLog®. If you take too much NovoLog® your blood sugar may fall too low.

NovoLog® is a fast-acting insulin. You should eat a meal within 5 to 10 minutes after using NovoLog® to avoid low blood sugar. Do not inject NovoLog® if you do not plan to eat right after using NovoLog®. Check your blood sugar levels. Ask your health care provider what your blood sugars should be and when you should check your blood sugar levels. Alcohol, including beer and wine, may affect your blood sugar when you take NovoLog®.

Do not change the type of insulin you use unless told to do so by your health care provider. The amount of insulin you take as well as the best time for you to take your insulin may need to change if you take a different type of insulin.

Do not mix NovoLog® with any other insulins when used in a pump or with any insulins other than NPH when used with injections by syringe.

Needles and NovoLog® FlexPen® must not be shared.

Tell your health care provider about all medicines you take and all of your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your NovoLog® dose may change if you take other medicines.

NovoLog® has not been studied in children with type 2 diabetes or in children with type 1 diabetes under the age of two.

The most common side effect of NovoLog® is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Other possible side effects include reactions at the injection site (like redness, swelling and itching), and allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you experience signs of serious allergic reaction such as body rash, trouble with your breathing, fast heartbeat, or sweating. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further information.

Please see www.novolog.com for NovoLog® complete Prescribing Information.  

About Children With Diabetes

The mission of Children with Diabetes, Inc. is to promote understanding of the care and treatment of diabetes, especially in children; to increase awareness of the need for unrestricted diabetes care for children at school and daycare; to support families living with diabetes; and to promote understanding of research into a cure.

Children with Diabetes, Inc. (CWD) operates one of the most established, well-trafficked online diabetes communities through www.childrenwithdiabetes.com (online since 1995), promotes the Quilt for Life diabetes awareness project, and hosts Friends for Life conferences to provide education and support for children with diabetes and their families. The inspiration for CWD was personal for founder and president, Jeff Hitchcock; his daughter Marissa was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of two. Jeff's focus was to make a difference in the life of his daughter, and by extension, in the lives of all of the daughters and sons living with diabetes.

About Novo Nordisk

Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 88 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. For more information, visit www.novonordisk-us.com.

About Diabetes

In the United States, 25.8 million people, have diabetes, a condition in which the body does not produce enough or properly use insulin, the hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.

SOURCE Novo Nordisk