Novo Nordisk Supports Four Detroit-Based Organizations In Fight Against Diabetes

DETROIT, Oct. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care, announced today that it has awarded $80,000 in sponsorships to four Detroit community organizations. The Detroit sponsorships are part of the nationwide Novo Nordisk Community Care initiative to help rally communities to address the diabetes crisis and support local programs designed to make an impact for people living with type 2 diabetes. According to data commissioned by Novo Nordisk from the Institute of Alternative Futures, as of 2010, Detroit had 511,976 people with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes and an additional 1.1 million in danger of developing diabetes.

Novo Nordisk convened a panel of two local diabetes experts to help evaluate the many innovative programs that were presented for sponsorship. The panel was comprised of Dr. Gary Edelson, Endocrinologist and Diabetes Specialist; and Dr. Samson Kpadenou, Director of Michigan Lifestyle Change & Health Center. Programs that received funding were considered to be the most creative, impactful, and meaningful for the community and took an innovative approach to addressing the problem of type 2 diabetes.     

"Research has shown that type 2 diabetes has a far-reaching impact in the Detroit metro area. We also know that local organizations play a critical role in addressing the problem through programs that access the perspective of the local population," said Dr. Gary Edelson. "By encouraging local programs to take initiative, Novo Nordisk is providing a key support system, as well as an important resource to help address the diabetes epidemic in Detroit."

Organizations that received sponsorships target a range of diverse communities in Detroit and include:

• American Diabetes Association - Detroit: This local ADA chapter is collaborating with the Henry Ford Health System Faith Community Nurses to continue their Diabetes Self-Management Program, aimed to empower people with type 2 to better manage their diabetes.
• Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit: With the sponsorship, they plan to expand an existing program in order to help people living with type 2 diabetes achieve results in terms of smoking cessation, exercise, weight loss, and healthy eating habits.
• Joy-Southfield Community Development Corporation: The organization plans to expand their Healthy Eating, Activity & Learning workshops to educate those living with diabetes, as well as their families, on how to prevent diabetes-related complications.
• National Kidney Foundation of Michigan: The foundation plans to use an educational workshop based program to help improve the quality of life for those living with diabetes.

"Novo Nordisk is proud to partner with each of these Detroit organizations for their innovative approach to diabetes education in their local community," said Lori Moore, Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Novo Nordisk. "It is our hope that through Community Care, Novo Nordisk can help local organizations around the country develop impactful programs that will have a lasting effect on the epidemic of type 2 diabetes."

In 2011, Novo Nordisk Community Care sponsored more than 20 diverse community-based programs and awarded $415,000 to organizations in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Boston, and Philadelphia. In 2012, Novo Nordisk is also offering new sponsorship opportunities to eligible organizations in the San Francisco, Houston, and Madison/Milwaukee metropolitan areas where diabetes is a heavy burden on the community. In these areas, the Novo Nordisk Community Care initiative aims to activate and enable organizations that are ambassadors for change in diabetes care and are making an impact in their local communities. For more information about Novo Nordisk Community Care, visit www.novonordisk-us.com/communitycare.

About Novo Nordisk
Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 89 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 novonordisk-us.com.

SOURCE Novo Nordisk