The Fifth Annual Big Blue Test Promotes Exercise and Awareness of Diabetes

Between October 15 and November 14, the Diabetes Hands Foundation will be hosting the fifth annual Big Blue Test to encourage people to get active and improve the lives of people with diabetes. The annual Big Blue Test is meant to increase awareness of diabetes in the month leading up to World Diabetes Day (November 14). People with diabetes participate by testing their blood glucose level, getting active for 14-20 minutes, testing again, and then sharing their results online. People without diabetes can participate without reporting their blood glucose level. Results from the Big Blue Test in the past have shown that just 14 minutes of exercise can decrease blood glucose level an average of 15-20%!

The goal in 2013 is to get 20,000 results logged by November 14. When the goal is reached, $10,000 in grants will be distributed to nonprofits that serve people with diabetes who are living in need. These include organizations such as St. Anthony’s Medical Clinic in San Francisco, the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Colorado, and projects in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. You can learn more and participate at www.BigBlueTest.org and read our past coverage of the program here and here. –NL