Usher Headlines New Movement To Encourage Screenings For Diabetes Awareness Month

Usher is adding to his headlining roster by serving as the lead performer at Sanofi’s The 1 Pledge campaign for Diabetes Awareness Month.

To kick off Diabetes Awareness Month, Sanofi is launching a campaign that aims to highlight the diversity of patients and caregivers dealing with type 1 diabetes, Medical Marketing and Medicine reports. The goal is to share stories and encourage screenings around the chronic disease that affects around 250,000 children and adolescents and about 1.7 million adults in the U.S. alone.

By addressing diabetes sooner rather than later, Sanofi aims to combat the life-threatening health complications patients can face when they don’t receive timely treatment. Additional resources can be found at The1Pledge.com.

Usher will headline the event that includes Robin Arzón, VP of fitness programming and head instructor at Peloton who is also a type 1 diabetes patient, and ESPN insider Adam Schefter whose wife lives with type 1 diabetes. The event will be held in Times Square, New York City, and include periodic 30-second ads encouraging people to get screened for type 1 diabetes.

Usher’s passion for spreading diabetes awareness started after his son was diagnosed with the chronic illness at the age of 6.

“Since the day my child was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the condition is something I never stop thinking about,” he said. “Had we detected my child’s type 1 diabetes before their diagnosis it could have given us valuable time to prepare.”

“My child’s bravery inspires me every day and my hope in partnering with Sanofi is to inspire other families in this important work,” he continued “Do not wait until you see symptoms. Pledge to screen for type 1 diabetes today so you can prepare for what could come.”

People can learn more about the movement by following the hashtag #ScreenforType1 across social media.