BERKELEY, Calif., Oct. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- This year Diabetes Hands Foundation has pledged US$10,000 in Big Blue Test grants, continuing support for programs aimed at providing lifesaving supplies, medical tests, treatment, and patient education to people living in need who have or at risk of having diabetes.

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"Through the Big Blue Test, the Diabetes Hands Foundation rallies communities to experience the impact that small changes can have on their health," said Manny Hernandez, president of the Diabetes Hands Foundation. "The grants generated by Big Blue Test participants will impact thousands of people with diabetes who are living in need."

Two US -based initiatives will receive US$2,500 in funding, with the remaining US$5,000 supporting projects in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The following US-based projects are being funded to provide people touched by diabetes who are in need with lifesaving supplies, medical tests, treatment, and/or patient education:

• St. Anthony's Medical Clinic in San Francisco, CA
• University of Colorado, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Aurora, CO

"This continued support from the Diabetes Hands Foundation is greatly appreciated," stated Wesley Nuffer, PharmD, BCPS, CDE, and assistant professor at University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. "We are actually expanding our clinics from 12 to 14 over the next year (2014), the Big Blue Test grant will help offset the cost of biometrics supplies to run A1Cs and cholesterol profiles for patients who wouldn't have access otherwise."

Diabetes Hands Foundation is partnering with American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad, Inc. (AYUDA), a recognized NGO, to bring Big Blue Test Grant funding to the following international projects:

• Fundación Aprendiendo a Vivir (FAA) in the Dominican Republic
• Fondation Haitienne de Diabète et de Maladies Cardio-Vasculaires (FHADIMAC) in Haiti

"Receiving another year of Big Blue Test funding will help us sustain the youth leaders and medical professionals who are bringing diabetes education, motivation, and empowerment to Haiti and the Dominican Republic where they are greatly needed," stated Nicolas Cuttriss, MD, MPH and co-founder of AYUDA. "Thank you Diabetes Hands Foundation for believing in and trusting our comprehensive approach."

Between October 15^th and November 14^th (World Diabetes Day) people are invited to participate by checking-in at www.BigBlueTest.org. Participants will test their blood glucose, exercise for 14-20 minutes, test again, and share the experience at www.BigBlueTest.org. Each share translates into funding being released to the Big Blue Test Grants. The goal for 2013 is to have 20,000 entries recorded at www.BigBlueTest.org, which will trigger the full US$10,000 in funding to these worthy groups.

 

About the grant recipients

St. Anthony's Medical Clinic (San Francisco, CA)www.stanthonysf.org/medicalclinic; CONTACT: Karl Robillard, Communications and Outreach Senior Manager, krobillard@stanthonysf.orgSt. Anthony Medical Clinic provides primary and specialty care to 3,300 low-income patients living in San Francisco's Tenderloin, over 20% of them children. St. Anthony's approach to diabetes emphasizes patient education, self-management, and medication counseling.

 

University of Colorado – Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Aurora, CO)www.ucdenver.edu; CONTACT: Wesley Nuffer, PharmD, BCPS, CDE, wesley.nuffer@ucdenver.eduThe University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SSPPS) has developed a network of pharmacy student-run diabetes management clinics across the State of Colorado. Almost 2000 patients were served in these clinics 2012 alone.

 

AYUDA (American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad)www.ayudainc.net;CONTACT: Ellen Carver, Executive Director: ecarver@ayudainc.net  AYUDA is a non-profit volunteer-based organization that empowers youth to serve as agents of social change in diabetes communities throughout the world.

 

About the Diabetes Hands Foundation (www.DiabetesHandsFoundation.org):  

We, at the Diabetes Hands Foundation believe that no one touched by diabetes should ever feel alone, because together we become stronger and have the power to generate positive change in ourselves and our community. Instead of looking at the disease, Diabetes Hands Foundation seeks to understand, connect and energize the millions of people living with this condition.

About the Big Blue Test (www.BigBlueTest.org), a program of the Diabetes Hands Foundation, demonstrates that small changes can improve diabetes health and promotes diabetes awareness. People living with diabetes are invited to test their blood glucose (BG), exercise 14-20 minutes, test their BG again, and share the experience at www.BigBlueTest.org. Most participants experience an average drop in BG of 20%, and each entry translates into a matching donation for lifesaving supplies, medical tests, treatment, and/or patient education to patients in need through Big Blue Test grants.

Media Contact: Mike Lawson, Diabetes Hands Foundation, 510.898.1301, mike@diabeteshf.org

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SOURCE Diabetes Hands Foundation

RELATED LINKShttp://www.diabeteshandsfoundation.org