Keep Calm & Do…

It’s big. It’s blue. It needs you.

I’m not talking about an overweight Smurf. (But if you want to keep the visual of Papa Smurf as you read this post, you go right ahead.)

The Big Blue Test is on like Donkey Kong for 2013 and if you’re pancreatically challenged, you can help. (Don’t worry – if you’ve got a working pancreas, have I got a deal for you. Hold on the line, please.)

You know how I prefer to avoid using that E word, right? Exercise. (Shiver. Grimace.) But when it’s for a good cause and can help other people, I’m going to do it – so join me.

My friend, Manny, explains it well. (And I get to see my amazing ninja, George Simmons, play basketball with his equally amazing son, so I love this video.)

Here’s the official scoop:

Since 2010, over 40,000 people helped themselves while helping more than 10,000 others. Most participants in the Big Blue Test experience an average blood sugar drop of 20% and by every Big Blue Test result a donation is made by the program sponsor to help others around the world with diabetes in need.

The Big Blue Test is a program of the Diabetes Hands Foundation that encourages people with diabetes to test their blood sugar, exercise for 14-20 minutes, test again and share their experience on BigBlueTest.org. For every test, people with diabetes in need receive life-saving supplies through Big Blue Test grants that are awarded to humanitarian diabetes charities in the US and around the world, made possible thanks to the program sponsor.

In 2013, the Big Blue Test grants will benefit two US-based initiatives (each will receive US$2,500) and an additional US$5,000 will support projects in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

This year, we’re seeking to reach 20,000 Big Blue Test entries, which will translate into a donation that will help save lives.

Help yourself and help others. Get active, join the movement: do the Big Blue Test every day!

Now, for those with diabetes, you’re already testing. Test, go dance to your favorite songs in your living room (toddler not included, but I use one for comedic relief), and then test again. Then post your results.

Lather, rinse, repeat. Don’t like to dance? Walk. Run. Swim. Bike. Aggressively push a grocery cart around the store. Just test, get your groove on, test again, and post.

But wait! There’s more!

mySugr, an app that helps make diabetes management fun, is also challenging us with the BBT challenge. Log your results and they’ll give you some free “Pro Days”. It’s not just a win-win. It’s a win-win-win – a win for you, a win for the Big Blue Test, and a win for those who need our help.

If you’re not a person with diabetes, then you can still participate. (See? Didn’t forget you.) You can donate directly to the Diabetes Hands Foundation here.  You can spread the word by sharing this post with your friends. (Because, let’s be honest. I bet you know at least one other person besides me who has diabetes. There’s a lot of us – both Type 1 and Type 1 can participate…)

There’s so much good to be had from 12 to 14 minutes of moving around…so let’s all keep calm and do this.

Together.