“Mommy, if you die, who’s going to be my bodyguard?”

With those words from her son, Jeffery, Sherri Shepherd found herself at a crossroads — of diabetes, of health, of life.

Every 23 seconds¹, someone else in America arrives at the same place, wondering how to get help for diabetes.

That’s right: On average, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with diabetes every 23 seconds¹. As Shepherd thought back to her own diagnosis and that pivotal moment with her son, she admitted: “It shook me to my core.”

But it also motivated the comedian and talk show host to seek out support. Now, she uses her platform to tell others about what she found: our FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems.

How does continuously monitoring your glucose levels help you manage diabetes? As Shepherd would tell you, it gives you the knowledge to make healthy decisions in the moments when you actually need to decide. By knowing your numbers, you have the power to do what it takes to avoid glucose spikes and mitigate other risks that could lead to diabetes complications².

The issue is that only 1% of people living with diabetes worldwide are using CGMs³ and realizing their life-changing power.  

So, instead of waiting at the crossroads, we’re teaming up with Shepherd and other FreeStyle Libre portfolio users to show a potential way forward.

Throughout November, which includes World Diabetes Day on Nov. 14, we’re donating 99 cents at a time to the American Diabetes Association to raise awareness about diabetes and the benefits of continuous glucose monitoring.

Why 99 cents? To represent the impact we feel we can make if we could reach the 99% of people who aren’t yet using CGM technology to manage their diabetes.³ Every time someone visits our “Countdown at a Crossroads” webpage, whether it’s you, a family member or a friend, we’ll donate — all the way up to $100,000.*

Instead of counting down every 23 seconds, we’re focusing on 3-2-1 …

3: FreeStyle Libre 3 is our most recent CGM system, available in the market to be used by people with diabetes 4 years and older, including pregnant women. It is the most accurate 14-day CGM⁴, with readings sent directly to a smartphone every minute. And it checks in at the size of two stacked pennies.

2: You may be eligible to receive a free** two-week trial of a CGM sensor when you sign up for MyFreeStyle, our diabetes education and support program. It’s a great way to experience day-to-day life with one of our FreeStyle Libre CGM systems before you decide if CGM is right for you.

1: It bears repeating: Only 1% of people living with diabetes around the world use CGMs.³ But you now have the information you need to help change that. And your donation* will help us and the American Diabetes Association spread the word.

For more, visit our Countdown at a Crossroads page.

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed on this website should not be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice. Individual symptoms, situations and circumstances may vary. Sherri Shepherd is a paid ambassador for FreeStyle Libre portfolio.

References

* Abbott will donate $0.99 to the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) Health Equity Now (HEN) program for every unique visit to its Countdown at a Crossroads website (www.Crossroads.Abbott) from November 1–30, 2023, 11:59:59 PM ET, up to $100,000.

**Eligible patients will receive one (1) FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor or (1) FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor for users with a compatible mobile phone operating system at $0 copay. The expiration date of the voucher is 60 days from the issue date. This program is available for patients with Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes. Patients ages 18 and older are eligible to sign up and receive an offer for the (1) FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor or (1) FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor. Patients ages 4-17 are eligible to receive an offer for the (1) FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor or (1) FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor through their parent or guardian. This offer is void where prohibited by law. Abbott may modify or rescind this offer at any time without notice. The discounts are not available to beneficiaries of Kaiser Permanente, Medicare, Medicaid or other federal or state healthcare programs, residents of Massachusetts, or US territories (other than Puerto Rico). The free (1) FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor or (1) FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor is provided as a sample and is limited to one sample per eligible person per product identification number. The FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor or FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor cannot be re-sold, traded nor submitted to any third-party payer for reimbursement and is not provided as any inducement for future purchases. The free sample card is not health insurance.

1. American Diabetes Association, Research Is the Key to Ending Diabetes, all accessed 28 Sept. 2023.
2. The American Journal of Managed Care, Flash CGM Associated With Event Reduction in Nonintensive Diabetes Therapy, 2021.
3. International Diabetes Federation, IDF Diabetes Atlas 10th edition, 2021; Seagrove Partners, Diabetes Bluebook, August 2023.
4. Data on File, Abbott Diabetes Care. Comparison based on publicly available information.