Shaquille O'Neal "Sticks It" to Diabetes

DALLAS, Nov. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With the culmination of National Diabetes Awareness Month, QS Holdings, Inc. has teamed up with Shaquille O'Neal for their new glucose product, Quick Sticks, to raise awareness of the rising diabetes epidemic plaguing the United States.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121127/DA19129)

O'Neal, who has many family members that have long suffered from the disease, has joined the company as both a brand ambassador and educator. With his family's history, his passion for education, and the opportunity to be a part of a new brand, the partnership is a perfect fit, according to O'Neal and Cole Egger, Founder and President of QS Holdings, Inc.

"As any person with diabetes can attest to, there continues to be a serious need for driving more research to cure the disease, and more awareness on how to properly treat the day-to-day problems associated with it," said O'Neal, a 15-time NBA All-Star and TNT/NBA TV analyst. "My goal with Quick Sticks is to provide a safe, fun and effective product, as well as inform people of the benefits of utilizing resources like Certified Diabetes Educators, the American Diabetes Association and the JDRF."

The easy-to-carry Quick Sticks are flavored powder packets that provide a healthy boost of glucose for those who suffer from hypoglycemia and need to raise their blood sugar quickly. The complication can affect anyone living with diabetes at a moment's notice, and while spreading out meals and consuming resistant starch foods can help their situation, it is unrealistic for most people to maintain these strategies on a daily basis. The use of Quick Sticks makes it easier to treat those symptoms of low blood sugar.

"We created Quick Sticks to help those who face the challenges of hypoglycemia tackle the issue in a way that tasted better and was more fun than the other options on the market," said Egger. "Our partnership with Shaq allows us to bring even more fun to our brand and the world of diabetes as a whole."

Throughout the rest of November and beyond, O'Neal is celebrating the new partnership with national media appearances and fun and educational videos.

Earlier this year, O'Neal received a doctoral degree in education from Barry University, completing his thesis on the topic of "The Duality of Humor and Seriousness in Leadership Styles," an approach that he feels will help him draw even more awareness to the cause.

About Quick Sticks
Founded in 2011, Quick Sticks products are a quick-dissolve glucose supplement aimed at helping diabetics and others facing hypoglycemia manage their blood sugar levels in a fun and effective way. Currently available for purchase online at Amazon.com and nationwide in Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger and H-E-B, a box of Quick Sticks retails for $5.99 and contains 12 individual sticks containing 10g of glucose each. Flavors include Sour Apple and Watermelon. Quick Sticks are manufactured and marketed by QS Holdings, Inc., and is a proud partner of K9s for Kids. For more information on Quick Sticks, go to www.quicksticks.com, or find them on Facebook (facebook.com/itsquicksticktime) and Twitter (twitter.com/myquicksticks).

SOURCE QS Holdings, Inc.