–JDRF Launches PEAK Program to Increase Education on the Management of Physical Activity for Individuals with T1D–

To address the need for education on how patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) can pursue physical activity safely, Novo Nordisk has committed to a three-year, $5 million grant in support of a new JDRF Outreach initiative titled “T1D Performance in Exercise and Knowledge (PEAK).” PEAK will address the statistically proven need for additional education for patients, parents, and caregivers on how to participate in physical activity while managing T1D.

In June 2013 JDRF conducted a survey of T1D patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals and found that exercise and food are in the top five challenges faced by patients with T1D. With 36 percent of patients viewing exercise as a challenge on which they would like to have more information, JDRF will use the support from Novo Nordisk to conduct a multi-year education initiative. A portion of the grant will also be attributed to research and development expanding on the organizations’ previous partnerships.

“A large portion of the T1D patient community turns to JDRF for education and support with their condition,” said Jeffrey Brewer, president and CEO of JDRF. “Programs like PEAK will continue to build on the resources available to this community and improve the overall quality of life that can be achieved with the disease, a major goal of our organization.”

During the program’s first and second year, a panel of leading T1D experts will develop a curriculum that will be used to educate healthcare providers at pilot events throughout the United States and U.K. The third year of the program will focus on patient education at events hosted by chapters both domestically and internationally. The education curriculum will touch on the environmental, dietary, and physiological elements that impact physical activity with T1D.

“At Novo Nordisk, our vision is to prevent, treat, and ultimately cure diabetes, and education is a critical element to accomplishing that goal,” said Todd Hobbs, chief medical officer, Novo Nordisk Inc. “We are proud to be a part of providing much needed support to fill the alarming gap in knowledge regarding physical activity with the disease.”

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About Novo Nordisk
Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within haemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone therapy. Novo Nordisk employs approximately 40,000 employees in 75 countries, and markets its products in more than 180 countries. For more information, visit novonordisk-US.com or follow us on Twitter @NovoNordiskUS.

About JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure T1D. As the largest charitable supporter of T1D research, JDRF is currently sponsoring $568 million in scientific research in 17 countries. For more information, please visit jdrf.org.

Media Contact:

Christopher Rucas
212.479.7667 (office)

crucas@jdrf.org