Shire solidifies healtogether site as foundation for national program

By Mia Burns
Shire plc is bringing its HealTogether site to the forefront once again to raise consciousness about diabetic foot ulcers. Shire Pharmaceuticals launched the site earlier this year. HealTogether is a national awareness program and the company has teamed up with diabetic Chef Charles Mattocks, who is also the nephew of the late singer, songwriter, and musician Bob Marley for a mobile bus tour titled ‘The Diabetic You” to promote healthy eating and living for diabetics.
“Chef Mattocks initially contacted Shire on this partnership as a part of his work with ‘The Diabetic You; movement,” Bernis Gabelman, manager, market development, regenerative medicine business unit told Med Ad News Daily. “Additionally, Mattocks is a diabetic himself and an avid advocate for patients with diabetes, he is in the process of creating ‘The Diabetic You,’ a documentary and movement focused on educating and inspiring people around the world.”
According to Gabelman, the tour started in February of this year and the last stop was in Atlanta on April 27th. “The team is focused on a few other priorities at the time, but is considering continuing the bus tour later this year,” she says.
Gabelman provides more specifics about the mobile tour and told Med Ad News Daily, “Leading experts on diabetes were onsite to answer questions about potential warning signs for common problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, retinopathy, and neuropathy. Additionally, ‘The Diabetic You’ Mobile Tour offered visitors a free year-long subscription to Diabetic Living, one of the largest publications in diabetes health. All who visited were able to sample healthy snacks geared toward the diabetic patient. They also received recipe cards outlining how to make the snack. In addition, they received several educational materials. Everyone who entered the RV could tour the RV and watch testimonial videos from patients who have dealt with a DFU. Also, everyone was introduced to HealTogether.com as a source that they would be able to turn to for additional information on diabetes, and the complications surrounding diabetes, including DFUs. Finally, all were able to meet and speak to Chef Mattocks in person. He provided autographs and took pictures with any RV guests.”
The healtogether.com site features numerous pages of educational content related to diabetes and diabetes-related complications, including an animation that simplifies the complexity of diabetic foot ulcers, downloadable support material that helps patients speak about their diabetic foot ulcer with their healthcare provider, and a tool to assist in the location of specialists for treatment.
“Diabetic foot sores, or ulcers, are arguably one of the most common complications of diabetes with 25 percent of people with diabetes experiencing a DFU in their lifetime,” said Dr. Lee C. Rogers, D.P.M. co-medical director of the Amputation Prevention Center at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, Calif. “Because an untreated DFU can become chronic and lead to a serious complication, such as amputation, we want to provide as much education as possible to avoid this outcome and help patients understand that they're not alone- there is help and support available.”
Shire Launches Educational Resource for Diabetes