PRINCETON, N.J., June 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Novo Nordisk today announced the arrival of the Changing Diabetes Bus world tour in the United States. The Bus tour is making its U.S. debut in Chicago at Navy Pier's South Gateway Park as part of a five-continent, 18-month journey around the world to change diabetes. Long-standing diabetes advocate Chicago Bears Head Coach Lovie Smith will kick off opening day ceremonies on June 22 at 11:00 AM.
Diabetes affects nearly 21 million people nationwide and is a serious public health concern. About 1.5 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed each year in the United States.
"Education is the key if we are to ensure that future generations do not suffer needlessly from type 2 diabetes, which is a preventable disease," said Chicago Bears Head Coach Lovie Smith. "Right now, there are more than 400,000 Chicagoland residents living with diabetes 1, enough to fill Soldier Field 6 times over. I am teaming up with Novo Nordisk to call on Americans to change diabetes for good, by learning about the importance of good lifestyle habits, like proper nutrition and exercise in preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes."
The centerpiece of this tour is the Changing Diabetes Bus, a 59-foot mobile showroom filled with interactive, multimedia exhibits where visitors can learn about diabetes and why controlling it is critical - for themselves and their loved ones. Visitors can also share their opinions about what they would change in the area of diabetes and view testimonials from people across the globe who have visited the Bus.
The Bus is at the heart of a custom-built Changing Diabetes Village, a park encompassing nearly 25,000 square feet and offering complementary health screenings, information about diabetes from the American Diabetes Association, free healthy refreshments, fitness instruction, stretching tips by former ballerina and diabetes patient Zippora Karzand an area designated specifically for children's activities.
Admission to the Changing Diabetes Bus and Village is free and open to the public from June 22-25, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
"Our goal is to reach as many people as possible with information about diabetes and diabetes care," remarked Dr. Alan C. Moses, Chief Medical Officer for Novo Nordisk. "We want visitors to join Novo Nordisk in changing diabetes, and learn what they can do to help change the future of diabetes today. Novo Nordisk is a longstanding leader in diabetes care, and we will continue to be a catalyst for change - for example, our recent work in support of the United Nations' landmark Resolution on diabetes."
Unite for Diabetes
In June of 2006, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) launched a worldwide "Unite for Diabetes" campaign. This campaign called on the United Nations (UN) to add diabetes on the global health agenda. As a result, the UN passed a Resolution on diabetes recognizing the disease as a serious worldwide health threat and calling on member states to develop national policies for the prevention, treatment and care of diabetes in line with sustainable development of their healthcare systems. The UN passed the Resolution in December 2006, and it sanctioned November 14 as World Diabetes Day.
A strong symbol for the "Unite for Diabetes" campaign has been created enabling everyone to engage in the vision of the UN Resolution: a blue circle, which signifies unity.
Novo Nordisk is proud to support "Unite for Diabetes. "Focusing on the needs of children and youth, their families and social networks, the Novo Nordisk Changing Diabetes Bus world tour has a mandate to raise awareness of diabetes and its social, humanitarian and economic consequences among 1 billion people.
Since its launch, nearly 61,177 people have visited the Changing Diabetes Bus.
Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company with an 84-year history of innovation and achievement in diabetes care. The company has the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems. In addition to diabetes care, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as hemostasis management, growth hormone therapy, and hormone therapy for women. Novo Nordisk's business is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to economic success, environmental soundness, and social responsibility to employees and customers. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 23,600 employees in 79 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'NVO'. For global information, visit novonordisk.com; for United States information, visit www.novonordisk-us.com.
For more information about the Changing Diabetes Bus, please visit: www.changingdiabetes-us.com.
Changing Diabetes is a service mark of Novo Nordisk A/S.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020404/NVOLOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.orgPRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comNovo Nordisk Inc.CONTACT: Susan Jackson of Novo Nordisk, +1-609-919-7776 or cell,+1-609-933-4103, Tony Ho Loke of Biosector 2, +1-212-845-5607 or cell,+1-917-714-3555
