5 Celebrities Taking A Stand Against Diabetes

Paula Deen

“You can have that little piece of pie”
“I’m here today to let the world know that it is not a death sentence,” said Paula Deen, TV personality, Southern fried chef and author, as she announced on the Today Show in January that she has Type 2 Diabetes. While drawing criticism because many of her recipes are high in fat and calories, Deen has quickly become an inspiration by showing that eating in moderation and exercise can help control the disease.

“In moderation, you can have that little piece of pie,” she said. She has recently lost weight and is promoting healthier recipes while offering her advice and experience managing her disease.

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Della Reese

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“You can reclaim your life”
Singer, actor, author and minister, Della Reese, was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes while she was performing her most famous role in the TV series Touched by an Angel. With no family history and few early symptoms, Reese was shocked and scared after suffering some headaches and dizzy spells on the set. But she quickly took control of her Diabetes through medication, diet and exercise.

In an interview with USA Today, she offered her wisdom. “I learned to do what was necessary because I’m fighting for the quality of my life…You don’t have to let your life be destroyed by diabetes. You can reclaim your life.”

Jay Cutler

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“I just wanted to prove people wrong”
Jay Cutler, quarterback for the Chicago Bears, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes shortly after his second season in the NFL. Many critics didn’t think he’d be able to continue, have the energy and be successful as he managed his disease. He expressed his motivation to continue playing to Diabetes Forecast magazine, “I just wanted to prove people wrong…I don’t want sympathy—I want to be judged like every other quarterback.”

Since then he has worked tirelessly to prove to his teammates, coaches, kids and the general public that you can still achieve your goals and Diabetes doesn’t have to end your dreams of being who you want to be. After completing his 6th season in the NFL this past January, Cutler has proved those critics wrong.

Salma Hayek

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“I was ignorant”
An A-list Hollywood Actress, Salma Hayek, had no idea what gestational diabetes was or what it meant until she was diagnosed during her pregnancy. She told Parents Magazine “I was ignorant when I was pregnant…not knowing what was good for my body and what was bad.”

She has since become a role model for pregnant women and an advocate for eating healthy to prevent gestational diabetes that is characterized by high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, which if not managed can cause birth defects, miscarriage or delivery complications .