ABOUT S.T.A.N.D. AND TCOYD:
WHAT'S S.T.A.N.D.? WHO'S TCOYD?
Start Taking Action Now for Diabetes (S.T.A.N.D.) is a unique, social marketing
initiative supported by Sanofi US and led by leading not-for-profit diabetes
education organization Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD). The S.T.A.N.D. initiative
strives to help dispel the myths and misperceptions about diabetes and diabetes
treatment options by challenging the diabetes community to think differently, engage
in conversation with their healthcare providers and create partnerships to work
toward changing the course of diabetes, one of the most urgent health issues in
the United States. S.T.A.N.D. aims to shift the perception of what it means to have
diabetes, sparking greater national urgency about the condition and encouraging
people living with diabetes to feel empowered to take control and join the movement
for better blood sugar control.
If you or someone you love is living with diabetes, visit S.T.A.N.D.'s new Doctor
Forum and submit your questions
to Steven V. Edelman, M.D., founder and director of TCOYD and a professor of medicine
in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at the University of California,
San Diego (UCSD).
THE S.T.A.N.D. JOURNEY
S.T.A.N.D. began with a two-day social marketing summit in 2009, which brought together
a cross-disciplinary group of influential and creative thinkers, including diabetes
medical leaders, public health advocates and marketing leaders from the television,
music, digital technology, fashion and nutrition industries. In February 2011,
the second S.T.A.N.D. Summit was held to continue the momentum for greater diabetes
awareness and education.
THE MOVEMENT
Whether you are an influencer in the world of entertainment, medicine, public health,
or marketing, or someone living with or affected by diabetes in some way, we encourage
you to look for opportunities in your daily life to spread the S.T.A.N.D. message
and become part of this movement. We challenge you to think differently about diabetes
and imagine new ways to raise awareness about the disease and the importance of
better blood sugar control NOW.
ABOUT BEN VEREEN
Ben Vereen is a Tony Award-winning actor known for his work in "Pippin," "Wicked,"
"I'm Not Rappaport," "Fosse," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "A Christmas Carol," as
Chicken George in the iconic TV mini-series "Roots" as well as guest appearances
on "How I Met Your Mother" and "Grey's Anatomy." For more than 35 years, Ben has
been performing one-man concerts around the world and can currently be seen in his
one man show "Steppin' Out with Ben Vereen." He was also recently inducted into
the Theater Hall of Fame.
After learning of his diabetes diagnosis, Ben joined TCOYD and Sanofi US to help
educate people living with diabetes and encourage them to properly manage their
condition. Ben currently takes insulin as part of his overall diabetes treatment
plan, which includes diet, exercise and oral diabetes medications. He urges others
to speak with their doctor to learn the best treatment plan for them.
Today, Ben travels the country on behalf of S.T.A.N.D. to share his inspiring story
and show others that diabetes doesn’t have to hold you back!