Print | Email | Share | Comments (0)

Paul and Mira Sorvino Partner with sanofi-aventis to Launch Diabetes Co-Stars

Jen Blackstock

Oct 5, 2010

It wasn’t just Paul who was affected-his whole family saw the need to act as a support system-including daughter Mira.

We all know of Paul and Mira Sorvino, the legendary father and daughter actors who have graced the small and big screens for decades. Paul has played such classic characters as Paulie Cicero in the film Goodfellas and Sgt. Phil Cerreta on the TV series Law & Order and is a well-known chef and singer, while Mira has starred in over 30 movies and won an Academy Award in 1995 for her role as Linda Ash in Mighty Aphrodite.

But what a lot of us might not know is that in 2006, Paul was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Paul says, "I found out I had diabetes because I had another problem that I had to see the doctor about. They took tests and told me, ‘You have very high blood sugar, you have diabetes.' And I was stunned. I was absolutely overwhelmed by that. I never expected to have it."

Paul began a treatment regime immediately, but for years, it just wasn't enough--he was still having frightening high blood sugar episodes, so he approached his doctor about Lantus® (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection) and the Lantus® SoloSTAR® pen. He began taking the insulin once a day at the same time each day as part of his overall diabetes treatment plan, which also includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, and oral diabetes medications. "After adding Lantus to my treatment plan," he says, "I did eventually achieve good blood sugar control, and I have reached and maintained my A1C goal "

But it wasn't just Paul who was affected--his whole family saw the need to act as a support system--including daughter Mira. "After my dad was diagnosed, I realized that I needed to quickly educate myself about his condition so that I can always be equipped with the right tools to help keep him on track with his treatment plan," says Mira.

Recently, Paul and Mira joined forced with sanofi-aventis--maker of the Lantus SoloSTAR pen that Paul uses daily--to create Diabetes Co-Stars, an awareness program to help people living with diabetes and those who support them. The program, which can be found at www .DiabetesCoStars .com, is full of useful information and includes several short videos by Paul and Mira speaking about their experience in controlling diabetes.

Mira says, "I think a program like Diabetes Co-Stars brings to light the importance of strong support--from those at home, in the workplace and from your healthcare team. Balancing blood sugar levels and managing diabetes is a daily challenge. If you know someone with type 2 diabetes, reach out to them, learn about their treatment plans, and see how you can help. I encourage everyone living with or touched by diabetes to visit http://www.diabetescostars.com/ to learn more and hear my dad and me talk about our experiences living with his diabetes."

* * *

Sources:

www .DiabetesCoStars .com

http ://en .wikipedia .org /wiki /Paul _Sorvino

http ://www .chaindrugreview .com /front -page /suppliernews /sanofi -lilly -enlist -stars -to -raise -diabetes -awareness