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Last weekend, the Sanofi US Diabetes Patient Solutions team traveled to Florida for the 2012 NBA All-Star Jam Session. Our trip was in support of our Dribble to Stop Diabetes (DTSD) partnership with the NBA, WNBA, NBA D-League and the American Diabetes Association (the Association). This was the second year that Sanofi US participated in the event with the goal of raising awareness about diabetes prevention and management, and encouraging basketball fans to live active, healthy lifestyles.

Michele Polz, head of Sanofi US Diabetes Patient Solutions, and I joined tens of thousands of people who poured into the Orlando Convention Center for the five-day event, leading up to the biggest names in the NBA taking to the court on Sunday night.

Dribble to Stop Diabetes featured three FIT clinics that gave nearly 150 kids the chance to shoot hoops with Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever and seven-time NBA champ Robert “Big Shot Rob” Horry. We were also lucky enough to have an appearance from NBA legend Bob Lanier, who is a great ambassador for the DTSD campaign.

The excited participants were recruited by the NBA and the Association and many share a personal connection with both diabetes and basketball. The NBA legends led the kids through skills and drills like high knees to really stress the importance of exercise and the benefits of staying active from an early age. After the event, the kids were thrilled that Tamika Catchings stayed to sign autographs and take pictures.

Away from the FIT court, around 1,000 basketball fans tested their shooting skills in a DTSD Pop-A-Shot tournament for the chance to win an autographed basketball from an NBA star. More than one of the contestants managed to score 100 points in just 40 seconds!

The DTSD Photo Experience also proved to be a big hit! Nearly 1,300 people posed for a superimposed action shot against a background with either Chicago Bulls’ forward Carlos Boozer, New Jersey Nets coach Avery Johnson, Tamika Catchings or Bob Lanier.

Dribble to Stop Diabetes is a great campaign that’s really educating fans and encouraging them to discuss diabetes with their health care providers. If you want to learn more about the program, be sure to check out the website at www.dribbletostopdiabetes.com.

Thanks to the NBA and the Association for sponsoring a great weekend clinic!

-Gipper

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 29th, 2012 at 5:00 am and is filed under General, Health and Nutrition. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.